Friday, 2 January 2009
International Expert to Feature at NSW Tourism Conference
LGSA Tourism Conference 2009: Creating a Strong Foundation in Tourism
The fifth annual local government tourism conference, to be held in picturesque Kiama, will feature a range of key speakers including international tourism expert Dr Diane Dredge.
Held on 10 - 12 March 2009, the conference is hosted by Kiama Municipal Council and will feature an optional Master Class session on Managing Local Tourism, presented by the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Southern Cross University.
President of the Local Government Association, Cr Genia McCaffery says the session, run by Dr. Dredge, will outline the importance of tourism planning and management strategies.
"Councils are actively involved in tourism as a way of showcasing their towns and cities, and creating vibrant and diverse communities," she said.
"Implementing effective tourism strategies will help councils plan for the future and ensure an enjoyable experience for both the community and visitors alike.
"Dr. Diane Dredge has 20 years' experience as a tourism planner in Australia and over the world, including Canada, Mexico and China, so I'm sure the session will be very interesting and thought-provoking.
"She's also been involved in tourism capacity building activities with local councils and tourism organisations, including stakeholder audits and community consultation, so it's great to have her on board this year."
Cr Bruce Miller says the conference theme, Creating a Strong Foundation in Tourism, is fitting for many rural and regional communities.
"The tourism industry boosts local economies in many of our rural and regional areas, so it's crucial our communities have a strong foundation in tourism," said Cr Miller.
"Tourism relies upon many facets of infrastructure and related services and is often complex because it involves both private and public sector investments, including transport, restaurants, accommodation, and cultural and recreational facilities.
"This year's conference will take a closer look at this relationship and outline how local government can work effectively with the private sector and other spheres of government to achieve the best possible results.
"It will also provide councillors and council staff with a unique opportunity to network, listen to experts, and find out how other councils manage their tourism industry, so I encourage all councils to attend.
The conference features a range of sessions exploring:
- How NSW and other states have integrated tourism and infrastructure strategies;
- how councils have supported tourism development with infrastructure initiatives to benefit the community;
- transport infrastructure and service needs, covering aviation, road and rail based tourism; and
- the role of precinct redevelopment and investment in community infrastructure.
For more information, including registration details and cost, please visit the 2009 Tourism conference website at www.TourismConference.lgsa.org.au. Earlybird registration closes Tuesday 27 January 2009, and standard registration closes Monday 23 February 2009.
The conference is supported by Tourism NSW, Department of Lands, and Tourism Industry Council.
Media Officer: Kate Walsh - 0427 109 593
Media Comment: Cr Genia McCaffery - 0419 404 867
Media Comment: Cr Bruce Miller - 0428 629 934
