Tourism Alliance Annual Members Lunch 2008

Tourism Alliance Victoria held its 4th Annual Tourism Alliance Victoria AGM and Member’s Luncheon in Bendigo on the 15th of October, 2008. This event was held for the first time in Regional Victoria at the Quality Resort All Seasons Bendigo.

Over 60 delegates from around the state gathered to hear an update on Tourism in Bendigo from Kathryn Mackenzie who is the Executive Manager, Tourism at the City of Greater Bendigo.

Following this presentation, Erin Doyle from the Yarra Ranges Regional Marketing who was the winner of last years Lynette Bergin Tourism Fellowship, gave a brief update on her project so far. Erin is currently undertaking research on the tourism trends of the South East asian market. Erin has been attending various trade shows in Australia and overseas conducting surveys to understand this market.

A feature of the lunch was also the announcement of the 4th Lynette Bergin Tourism Fellowship. Prior to the announcement was a short film acknowledging the contribution that Lynette Bergin made to the tourism industry.

* Click here to view this tribute *

Lynette Bergin Tourism Fellowship

This year the Lynette Bergin Tourism Fellowship was awared to Matt Jones from the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne and Cranbourne.

This fellowship will be used to conduct a study tour of the USA and Canada to increase knowledge into the Nature-Based Tourism offerings in these countries with a particular focus on high-yield products.

Matt plans to gather a wide variety of information on nature-based tourism businesses and products that are successful in the USA and Canada and impart this knowledge with the Victorian Tourism Industry.

Tourism Alliance 2008 AGM

Chairman Roger Grant welcomed and thanked everyone for attending this meeting. He provided an overview of the organisations activities in 2007/2008 (as outlined in the 2008 Annual Report). These included enhanced representation activities, national and state engagement, the growth of specialist member activity groups member services and contracted services.

Corporate supporters Prime Television, Melbourne Airport and TRIP whose support is critical were acknowledged.

Tourism Alliance’s association partners were also recognised demonstrating the on the ground unity and support across tourism in Victoria. Association Partners include:

• Accommodation Getaways Victoria
• Outdoor Recreation Centre
• Regional Victoria Conference Group
• Restaurant & Catering Victoria
• Service Skills Victoria
• Victorian Caravan Parks Association

The newly elected Tourism Alliance Victoria board is:

• Roger Grant, (re-elected) Geelong Otway Tourism – Chairman
• David Eaton, Puffing Billy Steam Railway
• Sue O’Brien, Chateau Yering Historic House Hotel
• Terry Robinson, Destination Gippsland
• Tracy Hore, National Sports Museum
• Tony Hogarth, Prime Television
• Barbara Chalkley, Ballarat Tourism
• Louise Conley, Chair, Young Tourism Network
• Bryan McGoldrick, (elected) Dive Industry Victoria Association
• Matthew Noble, (elected) Australian Wine Tour Company
• Tom Smith (Observer), Tourism Victoria

Click here to see a copy of this years Tourism Alliance Annual Report