From the CEO
With the current challenges facing our tourism industry and uncertainty on what the next 6-12 months will look like for global travel, it’s now more than ever that we need to band together as Team Bundaberg, to work strategically, to market collectively and to unite as a single voice for the destination.
For businesses starting to feel the negative effects of the Coronavirus, there are a variety of state and federal government support packages available, we have collated a selection here. We are taking every opportunity to advocate for support for the tourism industry so please continue to feed information through to us about the effects on your business.
Minimising risk and the spread of infection, our team have also developed Front of House Signage for our Visitor Information Centres, you are welcome to download and print for your front of house areas too. If there is anything that we’ve missed, let us know!
With local government elections this month, turning many conversations to roads, rates and rubbish, it’s important to highlight the significant influence tourism has on the economy. Bundaberg Tourism works to lead the sustainable growth of the region’s tourism industry, maximising economic benefits for our businesses and communities, embracing best practise in delivery of our marketing, visitor servicing and destination development roles, AND we can only do this with a robust, productive and well-resourced partnership with Bundaberg Regional Council. Tourism contributes new money into the regional economy, it supports a variety of industries both directly and indirectly and it provides skilled and unskilled job opportunities for locals. A strong tourism industry means a prosperous regional economy.
As an opportunity originally identified by the Iconic Events Advisory Committee 6 years ago and picked up by past Indulge café owner and Bundaberg Tourism Board Director, Amanda Hinds, a food and drink event to celebrate what’s made, grown and produced in the region was a huge gap in the regions event calendar.
After five years of growing the food and drink festival for the Bundaberg Region, from the Sunday Soiree to Winterfeast to the Taste Bundaberg brand, this year Bundaberg Tourism has handed the event management and delivery over to the Bundaberg Regional Council events team for 2020 onwards. Highly skilled in event delivery, the BRC events team will develop and deliver a curated program of authentic and interactive culinary experiences that leverage the region’s food and drink heritage, stories and people. Team BT will focus on the destination marketing and publicity activity associated with the festival, to grow the profile of the region as a food and drink destination, aiming to grow length of stay and therefore overnight visitor expenditure. It has been an enormous effort by our team and a passionate culinary community over the years to nurture the event to where it is today and we believe this new event partnership will take the Taste Bundaberg Festival to significant heights as a destination event, and is a great example of Team Bundaberg working together to make things happen for the region!
Held over ten tasty days, the Taste Bundaberg Festival is a showcase of authentic Bundabergian food and drink experiences- from the farmer, distiller, brewer, grazier and fisherman; to the restauranteur, wine maker, food stall, café and caterer; through to the table. From Friday 12th and Sunday 21st June 2020, the program will be launched in April, so keep an eye on www.tastebundaberg.com.au for updates.
All of Queensland was celebrating Bundaberg Rum Visitor Experience this week as they were recognised as Gold Winners in the Tourism Wineries, Distillery and Brewery category at the Australian Tourism Awards held in Canberra. Congratulations also to Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort for being awarded Silver in the Ecotourism category and the Windmill Café as a finalist in the Tourism Restaurants and Catering Services. These three businesses are exemplary visitor experiences and lead the way in engaging with the broader tourism industry at a regional and state level. Well done!
Yours in tourism,
Katherine
