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HRTA in 2009

Monday, January 19th 2009

Happy 2009! Read more about the plans and priorities for HRTA in the coming year. It is a very exciting time to be involved in tourism in the Hepburn Shire.

Happy New Year

The end of 2008 saw the announcements of some very exciting things for the Region.  Destination Daylesford is working hard to establish a fully professional Regional Tourism Board in the early part of 2009.  At the same time Tourism Victoria has recognised the importance of this area and will contribute $7.3 million towards an international marketing campaign over the next three years.  Tourism Victoria has also identified that a broader role of the Campaign Committee is required to fully maximise the outcomes of industry development, product development and marketing and has annoucned a move towards a new Tourism Board. 

HRTA realises that the transition towards a new tourism body creates some incertainty, but rest ssured that the HRTA will ensure that the best possible structure and personnel are in place to capitalise on the investments being made in the area.

HRTA was the first tourism association to run the Tourism Excellence modules with resounding success.  The last of these workshops was an Information Market Place held in November 2008.  Many of us got together and produced some fantastic ideas to improve the industry in may different ways, click here for notes from the workshop.   The HRTA committee met to discuss the recommendations of the workshop, and with the impending developments, have accordingly identified key priority ares for 2009.

Key Priorities 

• Eco/Nature based Tourism Product Development - a working party has been established to examine new tourism products.   
• Skills Database - a working party has been established to create a Skills and Volunteer Database.  HRTA recognises that Volunteers are critical to the Hepburn Shire Community and as will be accknowledging the invaluable contribution made by the many volunteers in the Shire.
• Environmental Sustainability - HRTA will be examining the Green Globe program with a view to implementing its policies.
• Welcome Pack - HRTA will develop a Welcome Pack to be presented to each and every new business to the area.

HRTA will continue to develop the Annual Tourism Awards, the quarterly Visitor Satisfaction Survey, and will be working in partnership with other local organisations to furhter expand the Tourism Excellence training series. 

We look forward again to your invaluable support in 2009.  We wish you a very prosperous, happy and exciting 2009.

Best wishes

Liz Schibig