Tourism is Your Business

I would like to welcome you to the first edition of Tony Charters and Associates’ Tourforce.

Tourforce is an industry newsletter designed to keep both the direct and indirect participants in the tourism network connected with issues raised in peak conferences such as Tourism Futures; new policy and planning initiatives; product development; marketing and best practice case studies. I will also endeavour to keep you informed of grant programs and other areas of assistance. Tourforce will feature cutting edge projects being undertaken within my practice and those of my Associates. Guest editorials from industry leaders will be invited – addressing some of the key issues raised at the Tourism Futures Conference. The newsletter reaches a national and international reader body of 9,000.

To ensure Tourforce evolves in the direction of readers’ interests, we welcome your feedback and contributions.

Tony Charters

The recently opened Grand Canyon Skywalk allows visitors to experience the Grand Canyon from a completely new perspective. Located 200 kilometres east of Las Vegas, the horseshoe shaped glass open-air walkway is suspended 1,200 metres above the canyon’s floor and extends 21 metres from the west rim of the Grand Canyon. The structure can safely hold 32,200 tonnes or the weight of 71 fully loaded 747 aircraft, sustain winds of over 160 kilometres an hour from eight different directions and withstand an 8.0 magnitude earthquake within 80 kilometres. Access will run from dawn until dusk and cost US$25 per person with 120 people allowed onto Skywalk at any one time. The Skywalk facility will also include a visitor’s centre, museum, movie theatre, café, as well as several restaurants and bars. Grand Canyon West is owned and operated by the Hulapai Tribe who owns nearly one million acres of land throughout the Grand Canyon’s western rim. For further information visit: http://www.grandcanyonskywalk.com/

The Grey Nomads sampled were:
• mainly pensioners,
• primarily reside in QLD and NSW;
• over 50 years of age, the biggest group being 61-65years;
• have a combined income of less than $30 000 per year;
• travel with one companion and
• travel at least twice a year, for an average 3-4 weeks at a time.

The skills base of respondents is diverse, but lie predominantly in the areas of heavy vehicle driving, building trades and labour, engineering and both child and aged care areas. Many of these skills are current. There is a significant group with lapsed skills, and about half of these feel they need/want skills updating.
Almost 60% of respondents are interested in undertaking paid work in some form while travelling and over half of these have no major concerns regarding this idea. Where concerns are evident, they include primarily pension losses, insurance, tax and superannuation effects. Nearly 80% did not have a preference for the kind of work they would do while travelling. Where preferences were stated rural/fruit picking work and building were common. The survey found:
• around 80% were willing to work up to a month;
• winter was the preferred season for travel;
• the preference for just over half is for work to be undertaken in a block; and
• over 85% would modify their travel plans if there was access to paid work.

Nearly ½ of respondents were interested in undertaking voluntary work in some form while travelling

Destinations do not appear to be a major factor influencing the willingness to engage in either voluntary or paid work. However, preferred destinations include the Outback, the Tropics and Townsville.

The second stage of this project is currently underway. It consists of a widespread consultation process with potential Qld employers to gauge their level of support and the feasibility of providing forms of voluntary and paid work opportunities to interested Grey Nomad travellers.

It is hoped to expand the study into a full national survey with support from the Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.

The World Travel and Tourism Council is committed to raising public awareness of the value of Travel and Tourism, public and private sector relationships, and protecting the natural, social and cultural environment while still generating profit.

For tourism operators it is vital that they work actively to take advantage of the latest technology and developments in marketing and distribution, and in terms of sustainability practices. Industry is encouraged to work closely to attract and retain their workforce, developing career paths and working conditions that reflect changes in demographics and social trends into the 21st century. Perhaps most importantly, tourism businesses are urged to consider and plan for changes in levels of tourism growth, changes in fuel supply and cost, and in positioning their businesses and products into the future they are encouraged to focus on creating top quality experiences, built on authentic opportunities to engage with a destination and its local community. Tourism businesses and employees will fare well into the future if they work together through peak industry associations and business councils to ensure unified advocacy and representation.

Government agencies involved in tourism have a responsibility into the future to facilitate evolution of the tourism industry as the impacts of climate change and peak oil become a reality. The industry will benefit greatly from strong cooperation and coordination between all levels of government, to be reflected in a National Tourism Strategy and initiatives such as regular meetings between Heads of Tourism and Protected Area Management Agencies. Tourism industry challenges associated with aviation policy and sustainable transport will require strong leadership by government, and development of a strong workforce will also require government contributions. Government can also contribute to ensuring the Australian tourism industry is at the forefront of technology uptake by ensuring the appropriate infrastructure is provided as and by assisting many of operators, particularly small and regional or remote businesses.

Powerpoint presentations and papers from the National Conference on Tourism Futures, 4-6 December 2006 are now available on CD-ROM. Over 70 powerpoint presentations and papers have been included.
To purchase your copy of presentations on CD please fill in the order form.

The theme of this year's Asia Pacific Cities Summit (APCS) is Renewing Asia Pacific Cities and the program will feature a sustainable tourism stream.

Increasing the sustainability of tourism activity is rapidly becoming the hottest issue in tourism, and the Sustainable Tourism Directions for Cities Plenary is designed for cities wanting to develop 21st century responses to 21st century issues and opportunities in sustainable tourism. The features that make cities a 'great place to visit also a great place to live' will be explored in a separate session.

During the Summit, Brisbane expects to host around 1000 high-profile civic and business leaders and decision-makers from more than 20 countries and around 70 cities, primarily from the Asia Pacific region.

Recognized as one of the Asia Pacific's premier business and government forums, this year's APCS will strategically focus on business growth, trade, investment and economic outcomes for delegates from South East Queensland and the Asia Pacific region.

The 2007 Summit offers a limited number of sponsorship opportunities for Australian businesses with Asian trade aspirations, or those already operating in the fastest growing market in the world.

For further information about the APCS, sponsoring or the Summit's Sustainable tourism 'stream', visit http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/apcs or contact the APCS Secretariat directly on 3403 5335 with any enquiries, or for a copy of Brisbane City Council's 2007 Asia Pacific Cities Summit Sponsorship Proposal.

The most predictable element facing regions is change itself.

The Sustainable Economic Growth for Regional Australia (SEGRA) 2007 Conference takes up this theme, taking a proactive stance and examining how regions can seize opportunities presented.

SEGRA 2007 will look at the critical elements in achieving productive change and how to use these to establish and maintain sustainable economic growth.

SEGRA in its 11th year is recognized as Australia’s most credible independent voice on issues affecting regional Australia. SEGRA seeks to ensure that the latest knowledge, trends and innovations in regional development are available to the key players in regional Australia. SEGRA creates a forum where practitioners’ knowledge in the field of regional economic development can be shared between government, business, research and the community.

“SEGRA is not just a talkfest; it is about practical responses and innovative solutions to the challenges of regional Australia. Each year SEGRA profiles a number of case studies where a region has developed or undertaken a significant project that has brought economic and social benefits to their region.” Tony Charters, SEGRA Convenor.

With Australia riding a resource boom regional Australia is facing new challenges to ensure that their communities benefit long term from this period of strong economic growth. As well as coping with demographic flux, skills shortages, climate change and infrastructure needs communities also need to act to ensure they have a vision and a plan for the future.

“There is increasing evidence that the capacity for businesses and industries to be able to work collaboratively, exchange ideas and be catalysts for new and creative ways of using people is often the underlying strategy for success.”

SEGRA 2007 is proudly supported by: Illawarra Regional Development Board, Wollongong City Council and the Department of Transport of Regional Services, Kiama Municipal Council, Shellharbour City Council, Shoalhaven City Council, Tourism Wollongong, and Wingecarribee Shire Council.

If your region or business has a success story you’d like to profile at SEGRA 2007 please contact the SEGRA Secretariat on 07 3210 0021

Program and registration details are available on the SEGRA website at http://www.segra.com.au/segra. For more information contact the SEGRA Secretariat on (07) 3210 0021 or email info@segra.com.au

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