VTIC Industry Update
ATAP would like to provide you all with this update from the Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC)
Following the unexpected and tragic passing of our Chief Executive, Todd Blake last month, Parks Victoria offered to assist the VTIC/VECCI team during this transition period as they appoint a new Chief Executive, to be advertised in October.
As a consequence, Dianne Smith has been seconded to this VTIC role for a 3 month period (19th September- 16th December).
Many of you will know Dianne from her substantive role, Manager Tourism Parks Victoria and prior to that, Executive Director Ballarat Tourism. Dianne is looking forward to supporting our team as well as members, partners and stakeholders in this new opportunity. Feel free to contact her on email dsmith@vecci.org.au or tel 8662 5425.
September 26, 2011 at 4:06 pm | General | No comment
Global Destinations Forum
ATAP would like to encourage tourism businesses to attend Destination Melbourne’s upcoming event “Global Destinations Forum”.
Held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on October 5th, the forum is an opportunity for the industry to hear from Rick Antonson, President and CEO of Tourism Vancouver, who will share his experience and knowledge and provide some valuable insights.
From the Destination Melbourne Website:
Now in its third year, the annual Global Destinations Forum whets the appetite of anyone with an interest in Destination Promotion, Marketing and Management.
This year, the forum will feature international tourism leader Rick Antonson, President and CEO of Tourism Vancouver.
Tourism Vancouver represents over 1,000 member businesses and is responsible for the market development of Metro Vancouver as a convention, incentive, and leisure travel destination. Their vision is to be the global leader in destination sales, marketing and visitor experiences.
For more information please download the invitation here. Otherwise contact Destination Melbourne on (03) 9869 2444 or info@destinationmelbourne.com.au.
September 22, 2011 at 12:36 pm | General | No comment
New Work Health and Safety laws
OnJanuary 1st, 2012 Victoria will be adopting new work health and safety laws. It is important that all businesses are aware of these changes and make appropriate changes.
From the Worksafe website:
The changes result from the national harmonisation of Australia’s work health and safety laws. All states, territories and the Commonwealth will be adopting the same laws. These laws are largely based on Victoria’s existing legislation. This means that if you are currently complying with your work health and safety obligations, you are very well placed to do so under the new laws.
The new laws will focus on protecting Victorians at work and cut red tape for businesses that operate across state borders.
ATAP recommends that you review your current work health and safety policies, procedures and risk management strategies and measures to ensure you meet the new laws. To find out what you should be doing please click here
September 22, 2011 at 12:19 pm | General | No comment
Five Lessons from Tourism Hall of Fame Winners!
If you have ever thought of entering the Victoria Tourism Awards then Darren McClelland may have some useful insights to help you with your submission.
Darren has spend the past twelve months interviewing 20 tourism businesses from around Australia who have won a state tourism award. From these interviews he has found some common themes amongst winning entries and has identified some areas for improvement.
The attached document outlines his learning’s.
For more information, or to contact Darren directly please visit www.enjoyinspire.com.au
September 22, 2011 at 12:19 pm | General | No comment
TQUAL Update
Tourism Australia has been making great headway in the promotion of the TQUAL mark. The trade advertising campaign, which started in May, has included a double page spread in the June edition of Travel Weekly, a 2 page wrap in Travel Bulletin and further advertising on Travel Daily, Global Travel News, Travel Blackboard and Linkedin.
In addition we have seen some local promotion of this initiative which further enhances the TQUAL message.
We have included a few samples of the advertising that has been placed below.
- Travel Bulletin
- Linkedin (shown above)
- Hobsons Bay Works
The consumer marketing program is set to be launched in August/September and we will keep you updated on its progress.
For those of you that have already agreed to the TQUAL sublicense you will have received the logos and brand guide. You will also be receiving window decals, stickers and other promotional collateral in the mail soon.
If you have not yet signed the TQUAL sublicense, and with to gain access to the marketing associated with the TQUAL mark please contact the office on (03) 9620 4199 or info@atapvic.net.au to get further information.
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September 22, 2011 at 12:02 pm | General | No comment
False Billing Scam – Small Business Beware!
Service Skills Victoria has recently received a number of calls from some concerned operators about recent phone calls they had received.
From the Australian Competition & Consumers Commission website:
What are false billing scams involving directories and advertising?
A directory entry or unauthorised advertising scam is a scam that targets small businesses, trying to bill you for a listing or advertisement in a magazine, journal or business register/directory.The scam might come as a proposal for a subscription disguised as an invoice for an entry in a bogus international fax, telex or trade directory. Sometimes they are doctored to look like those used by genuine directory publishers.
Alternatively, you might be led to believe that you are responding to an offer for a free entry—but in fact, the order is for entries requiring later payment. Another common approach used by scammers is to ring a firm asking to confirm details of an advertisement that they claim has already been booked. The scammer might quote a genuine entry or advertisement your business has had in a different publication or directory to convince you that you really did use the scammer’s product.
If you refuse to pay, the scammers might also try to intimidate you by threatening legal action.
Warning signs
- You receive a call from a business directory or other publication you’ve never heard of, ‘confirming’ your entry or advertisement.
- You receive a document in the mail that appears to be an invoice from a publication you’ve never heard of.
- The caller claims that the government requires you to be registered in their register.
- The caller reads out your listing or advertisement and you recognise it as a listing you put in a different publication.
Protect yourself from directory and advertising (false billing) scams
- Make sure the business billing you is the one you normally deal with.
- Always check that goods or services were both ordered and delivered before paying an invoice.
- Never give out or clarify any information about your business unless you know what the information will be used for.
- Try to avoid having a large number of people authorised to make orders or pay invoices.
- Never agree to any business proposal on the phone: always ask for an offer in writing.
Click here to read more on the scams on the Australian Competition and Consumers Commission website.
