Regional Sustainable Tourism Strategy

Some key ideas and issues from each workshop:

Walcha:
- Target markets - low volume, high yield - work on return visits
- Website - accurate, safety awareness, interpretation
- Cultural Experiences - real Australia, crafts, heritage, friendly, personal guided tours
- Understand visitor’s perspective eg. non-English speaking visitors are out of comfort zone
- Working as one - network of transport, accommodation, guiding services
- Stick to core values - environmental education

Armidale:
- Comprehensive and accurate information to give customer confidence in their decision;
- Foster appreciation for the bush and highlight opportunities for education;
- Make information visible for travellers passing through, eg. motels, tourist stops
- Market for locals - take your holiday close to home
- Complete packages - making ecotourism attractive, promoting good health
- Effective coordination of network - local knowledge, community support

Guyra:
- Make Guyra a destination, not only a passage - the larger project to encompass a smaller, local one;
- Focus on the possibilities and opportunities and find ways to get there;
- Target specific markets with adventure and/or informative activities to suit;
- Package for independent travellers, families, etc;
- Provide opportunities to put back into the environment - a sense of achievement;
- Engage visitors with fun and educational experiences.

Dorrigo:
- Highlights diverse range of experiences
- Dorrigo Rainforest Centre as focal point for information
- Accessible and detailed information - where to camp, activities other than walking
- Understand the customer’s needs, motivation, capabilities!
- Manage visitation to conserve this pristine environment
- Comprehensive audit of activities, support infrastructure - all online and in print

Bellingen:
- Detailed communication (customer confidence) with packaging for easy decision-making
- Develop professionalism in industry and/or feature relaxed lifestyle
- Add value with educational experience, local/rural products and local guides
- Real ecotourism - build integrity and protect special local sites
- Offer themed walks and range of packages to suit visitors time, likes and budget
- Opportunities for self-guiding but with integrated support services
- Central coordination with great website

Coffs Harbour:
- Customer confidence in what they will experience/encounter…PLUS
- Surprises (good ones!) - undersell and over deliver
- Provide support - accurate information, marked tracks, sign-in/sign-out
- Set standards for service and environmental care
- Add value to experience by creating a strong sense of history - Aboriginal culture
- DON’T DISCOUNT THE ORIGINAL CONCEPT:
- It can still have variations, other activities, short walks and still be promoted as one track

Nambucca:
- Focus on special interest tours - Birdwatching, Aboriginal history, bush tucker;
- Variety of transport - cycle, walk and canoe…with quiet time for wildlife encounters;
- Clear signage, information, maps for traveller safety;
- Local elders, characters for memorable, personal experience;
- Provide depth of information and stories - knowledge sharing;
- Coordination with existing bushwalking & local groups, visitor centres, government, etc

More details on the results of the Workshops and Maps illustrating the key ideas discussed in those meetings are available through the link bar, on the right, under “Workshops Docs”.