Reproduction of any items from Tourforce is welcome, with acknowledgement of the source.

Welcome to Tourforce Edition 10

National Tourism Strategy Very Timely

The announcement by Federal Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson that a National Tourism Strategy is to be developed for Australia over the next twelve months is good news.

Australia’s tourism industry is facing a range of challenges at the moment and these have been emerging for some years. The 2006 Tourism Futures Conference Communiqué reflected strong industry support for a national strategy, so it is gratifying that the Federal Minister has taken this vital and immediate step. Minister Ferguson said the tourism industry has the productive capacity to meet its future market demands and this means greater attention must be paid to supply-side issues such as investment, labour and skills, climate change, and infrastructure. This approach is well aligned to the Tourism Futures Communiqué request of December 2006:

‘The delegation and speakers confirmed strong industry support for a National Tourism Strategy to unite the focus of Australia’s tourism industry. Importantly, delegates emphasised the need for the development of the plan to be inclusive, with active involvement of State and Territory governments and industry – a whole of government and whole of industry approach...This would be a document providing unified direction for the industry, containing clear advice and an action plan covering brand development, product development, marketing and distribution...’

The 2008 Tourism Futures Communiqué will provide an excellent input to the National Tourism Strategy team and will be forwarded to the independent steering body charged with spearheading the strategic changes.

How to Land Those Visitors

Australia is facing stiff competition for international visitors - boosting inbound visitor numbers is a leading item on the agenda for Philip Wolf, PhoCusWright President and founder, at an upcoming tourism conference.

“If you want to know the future online behaviour in travel, what consumers are doing, what they are likely to do and how the industry is responding, no-one else occupies this space like PhoCusWright,” says Paul Barren, Chair of IFIT and head of e-marketing for Victorian Tourism.

For the full International Speaker program visit http://www.tourismfutures.com.au/keynoteSpeakers.html

Building Australia’s competitive edge in the global tourism market must be a priority. Importantly, Australia must keep pace with advances in technology, respond to climate change, respond to consumer trends and supply a workforce that delivers service excellence. It means building on Australia’s strengths – its nature and environment, its open and friendly people, indigenous culture, sporting prowess, excellence in event and convention management, climate, health and security. This can only be achieved by industry, government and the community working in partnership.

To find out more about the conference visit http://www.tourismfutures.com.au/theme.html

In the case of our Gold Coast service, we have doubled the traffic volume from Kuala Lumpur to Queensland. Clearly, even with long-haul service, demand is very price elastic, attracting many first-time travelers.

The socio-economic demographic in Asia presents tremendous growth opportunity, with its very large, emerging middle class that looks at international travel as an aspirational consumption. Yet, given its cultural diversity, carefully tailored products are required to successfully tap this opportunity.

The conference also investigates Aviation Futures in a half day workshop on 2 June.
Few sectors are experiencing the growth and development currently experienced in the aviation world. New aircraft, more seats, longer range; new airlines entering the market; liberalisation of air routes; technology to reduce carbon emissions.

Find out more about Aviation Futures at http://www.tourismfutures.com.au/programDay1Aviation.html

Intimate Tourism Seminars

Tourism Futures attracts the most talented and innovative delegates. Forum and Workshop numbers are limited for each session which ensures an intimate and dynamic forum for everyone's ideas to be heard. Everyone attending seminars will enjoy the opportunity to fully engage in the discussion and bounce ideas off some of our industry's brightest stars.

For a full list of seminar programs visit http://www.tourismfutures.com.au/conferenceProgram.html

The Renewable Energy in Tourism Initiative has developed a set of best practice case studies in Renewable Energy for the tourism industry. The manuals feature industry leaders that have adopted best practice in renewable energy and energy efficiency in the sectors of accommodation, airlines, cruise lines, protected areas, ski resorts and tour operators. The manuals are the product of a collaborative effort between industry and the Universities of Colorado, Leeds School of Business, North Carolina Centre for Sustainable Tourism, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Sustainable Travel International.

Further information: http://www.renewabletourism.org/

InterContinental Hotels Group is creating a hotel which it claims will be the world’s first 100% ecologically-friendly hotel. The chain says the hotel’s green credentials will set the benchmark for hoteliers around the world. The futuristic, solar-powered 'Innovation Hotel' uses the latest technology in energy and water conservation and recycling. The virtual property is currently featured on the website for guest feedback on its features.

Further information: http://www.ihgplc.com/innovation/