Regional Tourism of Australia in December 2009 - Case Study Example

Proposal for the December 2009 Regional Tourism in Australia Covering Letter This is to inform all concerned that a conference on regional tourism is being held in December, 2009 as a part of the tourism development program of Regional Tourism Commission, Australia. The conference is proposed to be held for three days commencing on 1st December. With the 2009 Conference on Regional Tourism, Regional Tourism in Australia is presenting new and innovative conference themes and structure. The impacts of regional tourism in the country have already made marked effects on the tourism industry in the country and the conference is proposed to give detailed workshop and technical sessions by keynote speakers and other technical speakers. The conference will also include two regional site visits - Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves and Sydney Harbour Sun set- two of the most beautiful and exciting sights of Sydney. The conference sessions and social events will surely provide you with opportunities to interact and make relationship with many dignitaries in and around Australia. The most enchanting feature of the conference is that one day session will be dedicated exclusively for Workshop. We hope all of you will join us with pleasure for the beautiful, informative and exciting conference - an event that will provide you with the opportunity to discover the new challenges in the tourism industry Experience at the earlier Conferences The Commission's Conference on Regional Tourism is one of the largest and unforgettable gatherings of tourism industry participants and leaders. Over the last few years, the conference has been witnessing the presence of a surprising number of participants. A number of informative and inspiring activities such as seminars, networking opportunities, workshops, enjoyable and productive games etc have increased the value of the conference. Throughout the conference held over the years, the participants include a wide variety of people with diverse backgrounds such as destination management experts, destination advertisement agencies, regional tourism promoting associations, publishing firms, technology suppliers, accommodation providers, and various media agencies and companies. Besides, academic stakeholders such as students, researchers from colleges and universities also take part in the conference Conference Venue Crowne Plaza Hotel at Darling Harbour, Sydney is the finest and most appropriate place for a conference that accommodates people in the range of 500 to 750 from different walks of life. Therefore, this hotel was fixed as the venue of the conference. The hotel is enriched with and known for its vast spaces and rooms of different types to accommodate people with different status and designations. The conferences or conventions of various sizes and budgets are being undertaken largely at this hotel. The management claims special attractions at the hotel and they assure all such facilities and amenities shall be provided to all participants irrespective of the type of room reserved. Some of these world class amenities include wireless high-speed Internet access in lobby, well-equipped fitness center, swimming pool etc. Conference Objective The ultimate objective of this year's Commission's Conference on Tourism is to provide a supporting and cooperative platform that encourage sharing of plans, ideas, and opinions, discuss common problems and concerns of stakeholders, and fosters the network of relationships among various participants. Furthermore, the program aims to assist in the development of rural and regional tourism across the various regions of Australia. Specifically, the conference tries to address the various needs of the many diverse stakeholders and segments of the regional tourism sector in Australia. The following are the key purposes for which the conference is proposed to be held: To encourage people interest of eco tourism and regional tourism as a means of earning foreign exchange To assist and contribute to the long term economic growth by giving various informative classes and seminars To create a network and collaborative community of participants to recognize themselves that regional tourism can be a growth driver of rural economy Conference Theme The entire program of the conference revolves around the theme developed by the tourism development commission as one of the nation's priority in the coming years. This theme will act as the guidelines for any decisions and policies to be taken by the authorities for the promotion of regional tourism in Australia. The theme is given below: "Enhancing the coherence between Australia's Regional Promotion strategies and national economic initiatives towards the country's economic growth and development" It is known to all that the government of the country has been encouraging the tourism sector as it has been acclaimed as one of the major sources of foreign exchange. Particularly, the regional tourism has been identified as one of the sectors which have the potentialities to flourish in terms of contribution to exchequer as well as employment generation. The government has been trying to develop the regional tourism sector in conformity to the national economic initiatives, which aim at economic growth and development. This year also, the government wants to keep the same policies to have a better linkage between the country's economic development and tourism promotion strategies. Key Note Speakers The presence of two renowned personalities in tourism makes the program so memorable and informative. The dignitaries selected for keynote address are: 1. Jim Carreker, Chairman, Arbutus Hospitality Jim Carreker, along with his wife Helen, is running an award-winning regional dining and luxury accommodation venues in South Australia. They have been in the industry as developers and operators for the last several years. Mr. Jim Carreker, has got mastery over hospitality management and has been taking classes and interactive sessions in many schools and universities. Recently, his hotel bagged a couple awards inlcusing award for Luxury Accommodation at the 2007 National Tourism Awards and Appellation and Best Regional Restaurant and Best Wine List in the Adelaide Food Awards. 2. Steve Kernaghan, Executive General Manager, Communications, South Australian Tourism Commission Mr. Steve Kernaghan, hailing from the US to Adelaide to work for the South Australian Tourism Commission is blessed with a wealth of communications and tourism experience. His has worked as Regional Marketing Manager for Tourism Australia based in Los Angeles. Steve has also worked as Marketing Communications Manager for Qantas Airways, also based in Los Angeles. Accommodation Sleeping Rooms: Rooming Block Requirements: VIP Rooms: Conference speakers including keynote speakers, VIPs and conference staff members are proposed to be housed on a separate floor $ 250 per Day Guest rooms: The conference needs ideally a 300-room block for two (2) nights with same facility. $ 175 per Day Meeting Rooms: A Conference hall that can accommodate people in the range of 500 to 750 is sufficient enough to conduct meetings, workshops and technical sessions. It is necessary that the room should have facilities such as audio-visual presentation (i.e. rear screen projection). $ 500 per Day Telecommunications: All the rooms in the hotel shall provide two telephone lines, with local and long distance access. In addition, the rooms shall have two broadband internet access lines. Food and Beverage options Opening Night - Day 1 Reception Second Day - Day 2 Buffet Breakfast Tea Break -2 No's Luncheon Dinner Final Day - Day 3 Buffet Breakfast Tea Break- 2 No's Lunch The choice of Food and beverage is subject to negotiation and hence the cost of food and beverage may vary. The participants will be permitted to bring in pre-packaged snacks. Soft drinks, water, beer and wine etc shall be allowed. Social program Two Visiting Places in Sydney Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves: All will be enchanted by the wonderful views such as the breathtaking canyon views. One travel guide will introduce unknown places to all along the way to and from the Blue Mountains as a story teller. The important attractions of the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves day trip include passing the 2000 Olympics Site at Homebush Bay, enjoying magnificent views of Jamieson Valley, Australia's Grand Canyon and learning about Aboriginal legends and folklore. The price charged by the local operator comes to around $ 70 (including food and beverages) after special discount offer. Sydney Harbour Sun set: The sun set at the harbor is really an appealing and unforgettable experience. The journey starts at around 3 o' clock by bus arranged by a local tour operator. The price charged by the operator includes food and beverages. The price after special discount offer comes to around $ 20 per head. Program Schedule Timing Program Day 1 8 AM onwards Registration Opens 10.15 AM to 11.00 AM Welcome Reception 11 AM to 11.15 AM Tea Break 11. 15 AM to 1.15 PM 1. Convener's Welcome- Please add name 2. Opening of Conference: a. Formal Inauguration followed by speech- Please add one popular figure such as environmental activist -Keynote Address- The Role of Regional Tourism in Local Employment Generation- By his Excellency, Steve Kernaghan, Executive General Manager, Communications, South Australian Tourism Commission -Keynote Address- The Contribution of Hospitality Industry to Tourism Development in Australia with particular reference to Regional Tourism- by His Excellency, Jim Carreker, Chairman, Arbutus Hospitality 1.15 PM to 2.00 PM Lunch 2.15 PM to 3.30 PM Technical Session-Peter Hurley, one of South Australia's greatest businessmen, a prominent leader and a true Captain of Industry 3.45 AM to 4.00 PM Technical Session to be Continued 4.15 PM to 5.15 PM Award Presentation 5.30 PM to 6.45 PM Guest Speaker- Interactive Session by Penny Young, CEO, TakeABreak.com.au 7.00 PM to 11 PM Conference Dinner Day 2 8.30 AM to 10.00 AM Guest Speaker- Alex Dobrochodow, Expert in travel and destination marketing, including the highly successful 'Seven Wonders of New South Wales' campaign 10.15 AM to 10.30 AM Tea Break 10.45 AM to 1.00 PM Workshop on Regional Tourism and Australia- Classes handled by 1. Ross McLennan, and 2. Kathryn Gillies 1.00PM to 2.45 PM Lunch 3.00 PM to 4.00 Workshop to be continued 4.15 PM to 4.30 PM Tea Break 4.30 PM to 10.00 PM Visiting: Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves 10.30 PM to 11.30 Dinner Day 3 9.30 AM to 10.30 AM Technical Session: 1. Alysia Brandenburg, and 2. Alex Dobrochodow 10.45 AM to 11.00 AM Tea Break 11.00 AM to 1.00 PM Technical Session to be continued 1.00 PM to 2.30 PM Lunch Break 2.45 PM to 8.30 PM Visiting: Sydney Harbour Sun set 9.00 PM to 9.30 PM Closing Ceremony 9.45 PM to 11.00 PM Dinner References Accommodation, Australian School of Library Association, asla.org, Online, Retrieved on 06 April, 2009, from Darling Harbour, Sydney, Crowne Plaza Hotel, ichotesgroup.com, Online, Online, Retrieved on 06 April, 2009, from Read More