Tourism Talk JanuaryPlease select a story from the list below or scroll down to view all.
Sign up for the Tourism Talk eNewsletter to receive monthly updates - click here
> News from Tourism
Bright 150th Celebration
On 15 December 2010 Alpine Shire staff and local community advocates rallied in the Alpine Visitor Information Centre for a Blue Sky session (brainstorming). The session was designed to conjure ways and means of celebrating the 150 year feat for the township of Bright and 50 years for both the Bright Art Gallery and Autumn Festival. Keep an eye out over coming weeks for an email based survey for you to grade solutions for our celebration from most essential to least or click here to complete the survey now. Results will be fed to a working group formed for the 2012 commemoration.
If you would like to nominate to be part of the working group or know someone who must be involved please email kateh@alpineshire.vic.gov.au
Thank you to all of those who partook on the night of the 15th a myriad of great ideas evolved from the night setting a great start for the working group.
Back to top
Great Alpine Valleys Festival and Events Summer Calendar
The new look summer calendar of events is now available in our VIC’s and for download off our Great Alpine Valleys webpage. If you would like copies make sure you email kateh@alpineshire.vic.gov.au and we will make them available to you through our visitor information centre’s and the Bright Shire office.
Back to top
Opening Hours - Request
We are frequently asked who is available for breakfast and where can I go for dinner on a Monday/ Tuesday night. If you’re open we would love to know. Please email kates@alpineshire.vic.gov.auwith your opening hours helping us send visitors your way.
Back to top
How can you use the Alpine Explorer to Promote your Business?
The Alpine Explorer is an itinerary planning tool for visitors. It will be web based with a mobile phone application and pods in each of the Visitor Information Centres. The Kiosks will be installed in Mid January at the three Visitor Information Centres. Once installed we welcome you to come down and try them out. This will be a unique experience for your guests with the aim of encouraging visitors to stay longer and spend more. But we need your support........
The Alpine Explorer has been made possible by TQUAL Grants, which is an Australian Government funded initiative aimed to stimulate growth in the Australian tourism industry and therefore is aimed at equitable representation of all towns, businesses, community groups even incorporating the heritage and culture of the region and is not a pay to play project.
For more information about this project contact Jason Sharp at jasons@alpineshire.vic.gov.au. he Federal Government has announced $46 million in additional tourism funding over four years as part of its election policy commitments. Tourism minister Martin Ferguson said the money was evidence of the Government’s commitment to the “long term growth and sustainability of tourism in Australia”.
Back to top
AVEC - The Alpine Valleys Events Centre
The old TCV building will be turned into the Alpine Valley Events Centre, twice the size of the biggest alternate facility in Bendigo, plus an additional three 2000m2 sheds at the rear. New owners are keen to work with the community, utilise service clubs and local skills and built it into a great facility. There will be a replica cattleman’s hut in the centre that will be a bar and small eatery, perhaps run by a service club. The new owner’s have plans to create a museum in the old boiler area to preserve the history of the building. The aim is for the facility to host 10-12 major new events annually and will put Myrtleford on the state and national map!
Back to top
Check this out for a Great Idea....
Beechworth businesses have got together to create 'The Town Bike', a business concept to drum up trade. We love ideas outside the square. 
Back to top
The North East Cookbook
The North East Cookbook – from the Mountains to the Murray – represents a culinary and photographic journey of North East Victoria, as it travels from the base of the Victorian Alps and the scenic township of Bright toward the picturesque Murray River at Wahgunyah, encompassing the Ovens, King and Indigo Valleys, and towns such as Myrtleford, Milawa, Beechworth, Yackandandah, Chiltern and Rutherglen.
The emphasis of The North East Cookbook- from the Mountains to the Murray is fresh... local... and vibrant.... whether it be delicious homemade pastas, savoury treats, mouth watering mains or decadent sweets; with a secret or two thrown in for good measure! The North East Cookbook- from the Mountains to the Murray has over 90mouth-wateringrecipes from first class restaurants, cafes, primary producers and provenders of fine local produce located in the North East corner of Victoria. These recipes have been compiled by Bindy Welsh who has matched them with her stunning photography, which captures both the essence of the recipes and the region which inspires them.
Available for purchase at Alpine Visitor Information Centres or at featured café’s, restaurants and producers.
Back to top
Seasonal Indulgence our Food & Wine Guide
The new edition of our Seasonal Indulgence Food & Wine guide not only incorporates our food & wine producers from the region but now includes all our Pedal to Produce cycle trails from across the North East as well as, maps, itineraries, recipes and more, so more than even our guide is a must have when touring the North East Valleys. Local produces from the Great Alpine Valleys have a very positive feedback from being involved with the guide. Check out the online version, simply scroll over the guide to view at full page size and turn the pages with the arrow on the right of the guide. Visit one of the Great Alpine Valleys official Visitor Information Centres for a bundle to hand out to visitors to the region.
Back to top
Parks Victoria update
New Parks Victoria Alpine Parks Display
There is a new alpine parks motivational display now open to all who visit the Alpine Visitor Information Centre in Bright. The display encourages visitors to get up into the high country and provides visitors with ideas of what they can do. Visitors are inspired through lovely images of the Alpine and Mount Buffalo National Parks to get involved in activities such as walking, riding, scenic car touring, picnicking and much more. There is even some commentary provided by some of our native locals! Make sure you pop in and take a look, and encourage your visitors to take a look also. More information can be obtained at the Visitor Information Centre through Parks Victoria’s park notes and speaking with the staff and Alpine Ambassadors.
Parks Victoria staff at the Alpine Visitor Information Centre
Throughout January, Parks Victoria staff will be available in the Alpine Visitor Information Centre in Bright to assist visitors with their enquiries and trip planning, providing information on walks, places to camp, track conditions and the Summer What’s On program. There is also the wonderful and inspiring video available in the theatrette if you need any more inspiration to get out in the Alpine National Park. Look out for Parks Victoria and come and say hello!
Mount Buffalo National Park
Dingo Dell Café & Visitor Centre
We would like to advise visitors that while the lodge at Dingo Dell will be open daily as a pleasant lounge and Visitor Centre, the Café will not be operating due to inability to attract business interest at this stage. Parks Victoria is currently endeavouring to source a new café operator as soon as possible. Visitors can obtain information, park note flyers and junior ranger activity sheets from both the Dingo Dell Day and Park Office Visitor Centres as well as enjoy the pleasant surrounds in the picnic area.
What’s On program
There is a Summer What’s On program for January with lots of wonderful and free activities available for all the family. Most activities will occur in Mount Buffalo National Park; however there is also some occurring in the Alpine National Park. Activities include star gazing with the Bright Astronomy Club, Junior Ranger activities for campers at Lake Catani Campground and the fantastic walks where you can learn about the natural wonders of Mount Buffalo and digital photography all at the same time!
Lookout upgrades
Parks Victoria will also be undertaking major works to upgrade the various lookouts throughout Mt Buffalo National Park. Visitors will enjoy classy new structures all around the Gorge, with works continuing on the Monolith, Viewpoint and Mt Dunn lookouts. The works aim to improve the safety and presentation of the impressive lookouts. These works include stairs, handrails and walkways and will require little if any closure of these sites during the summer period.
Alpine National Park
Track access
With continued large rainfalls and storms, track conditions continue to vary in the Alpine National Park, so please be aware of this when planning excursions. Changes will be posted on www.parkweb.vic.gov.au or you can call 13 1963.
Spectacular wildflowers abound...
If you have no other reason to take a trip up to the Bogong High Plains this summer, head up for the spectacular array and display of alpine wildflowers. Even Parks Victoria staff are in awe of the sight they see each day as they head out into their office. There are fantastic opportunities for photography, brushing up on your plant identification or just checking out another aspect of our beautiful alpine landscape.
>TOURISM VICTORIA NEWS
Click here to go to the Tourism Victoria Corporate site
FireReady Campaign 2010-11
The Victorian Government recently launched its 2010-11 FireReady campaign which aims to raise public awareness of fire preparation and planning.
A component of this summer's FireReady campaign advises holidaymakers - especially those who live in cities – to understand their fire risk and be prepared before they travel.
Click here for full story.....
Back to top
|
> News from Economic Development
Taste Alpine - Local Produce Guide 2011
The Alpine Shire Local Produce Directory is having a makeover in 2011 and will now be known as Taste Alpine. The new guide will showcase the local produce available in the Alpine Shire as well as provide information on where to get it and at what time of year.
Cafes, restaurants, retailers, farmgates and markets along with the primary producers themselves will be encouraged to participate in the Taste Alpine guide which will be distributed locally to encourage residents of the Alpine Shire and surrounds to ‘buy local’. The guide will also be available in the Alpine Shire Council’s three Visitor Information Centres (VICs) and will also be sent to other VICs throughout Victoria to promote our produce to those outside the area. This will be a great opportunity to showcase our amazing selection of local produce and it is hoped that this guide will be utilised by both residents and visitors to explore all that we have to offer.
Back to top
Business Training Events Calendar for 2011
The Business Training Events calendar for 2011 has been confirmed by Business Victoria and is now available to view on the Alpine Shire’s online calendar and to view and book on the Business Victoria online calendar. To view a brief description of each of the workshops and seminars on offer in the Alpine Shire in 2011, click here.
A message from the ACCC: Protect your small business – before and after signing a contract
An increasingly popular method of selling goods and services to small businesses is to offer a number of goods and services as part of a ‘bundle’. Bundles often include incentives, such as goods described as ‘free of charge,’ bonus products, or delayed payment plans. Finding a good deal for a busy small business can sometimes be challenging but it is important that businesses properly assess such offers and don't rush into signing a contract.
The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has commenced legal proceedings against a number of companies that it alleges have misled small businesses into entering contracts for telecommunication services and rental agreements with finance companies for equipment offered to them as “free”. The ACCC has also alleged that these bundled service agreements are unlawful.
Many small businesses say they have been misled, and have found themselves without a telephone service, but locked into expensive equipment leases where the telecommunications service provider goes out of business. Some of these small businesses are being pursued by finance companies for debts under the equipment rental contracts.
In order to assist businesses understand the risks and decide whether a bundle deal is appropriate for them, the ACCC has published a list of questions on its website that all businesses should ask themselves prior to signing a contract. Businesses should be alert to these questions every time they enter into a contract and where warning signs arise, take more time to look over each of the pages you are being asked to sign.
If you need more help or advise on this issue, you may wish to report your situation to the ACCC Infocentre on 1300 302 502, or the ACCC Small business helpline on 1300 302 021.
Related webpage:
|
|
> News from Visitor Information Centres
River Safety
The Alpine Shire would like to remind operators of the dangers of swimming in the rivers at the moment. Due to the floods, submerged logs and strong currents are a concern.
Please pass on the message to visitors to be cautious and mindful of the changes to the river this Summer.
Back to top
Alpine Visitor Information Centre - New Parks Interpretive Display
The $50,000 new parks interpretive display installation has just been completed. This is in the area that was Jason’s office out in the gallery room and is fully funded by Parks Victoria. It showcases images and information on Mount Buffalo, The new Alpine Wild Walk, Cattleman’s huts etc. This is a great result just in time for Christmas holidays, again showing the strong partnership we have with Parks Victoria to collaborate in provision of excellent visitor information services. This will provide another attraction for you to send your guests.
Back to top
Free Hospitality Kit for Tourism Operators
The Alpine Shire in partnership with Rural Access and Deaf Access has purchased a Hospitality Kit to support Alpine Shire Accommodation providers. Information is available at http://www.visitalpinevictoria.com.au/pages/tourist-accommodation-hospitality-kit/
The Hospitality Kit is about making Tourist accommodation accessible to people who are Deaf, hearing impaired or speech impaired. It allows Deaf, hearing impaired and speech impaired people to easily access telephone, TV, alarm clocks and other facilities at Hotels, Motels, B & B’s and private guest rooms.
The kit will be available for hire at no charge to guests during their stay in the Great Alpine Valleys and can be booked through the Visitor Information Centres.
Contact the staff at the Visitor Information centre on 1800 111 885.
Back to top
School Based Traineeship
The Alpine Visitor Information Centre has recently employed a school based trainee in Stephanie Zonta. This is a great opportunity for the Alpine Shire to work with the schools in the region and provide pathways to employment in the Tourism Industry. It’s a fantastic opportunity for Steph to developed employment skill sets and experience while completing her VCE. Further opportunities are being investigated in Mount Beauty and Myrtleford.
Back to top
Coming Soon: New Look for Great Alpine Valleys Website
In conjunction with the Alpine Explorer the Great Alpine Valleys website is getting a make over in January. The new design is contemporary and aspirational designed to engage potential visitors to book escapes to this beautiful region. Log on and see for yourself early February.
Back to top
Getting the Most from your Bookeasy Listing
I have had a number of conversations with owners about Bookeasy of recent and we are currently doing an in-depth analysis of the booking platform. In the early stages gathering the data their seems to be a direct correlation with Gold member’s and increased bookings. We know the visitors are looking for instant confirmation of their bookings it has become the minimum standard of service expected by visitors through sites like Stayz and Wotif. So to get the most out of your BookEasy listing consider upgrading your listing. To support you in this process the commission payable has also been reduced for Gold member operators from 12% to 10%.
For more information contact Nikki Farmer at nikkif@alpineshire.vic.gov.au or 0458 079 411
Back to top
|
|
