Continous Improvement Helpful Hints
In order to be a successful tourism operator, it is important to acknowledge that no business can ‘stand still’. There is a requirement to gain further industry knowledge, forge strong local and regional networks with your fellow operators and be actively involved in the industry in which you operate. These practices will not only positively affect the people within your business, but the business’ operation as a whole.
When completing your annual accreditation requirements ATAP asks you to list the continuous improvement achievements of your business in the last 12 months, as well as plans for the next 12 months. This is an important component of accreditation as accredited businesses should be dedicated to the continuous improvement its staff, business systems and processes, strategies and goals.
We have put below some key areas that can assist you in completing this section of your annual accreditation requirements.
- Marketing Achievements
- Product
- Environmental Sustainability
- Professional Development and training (self/staff)
- Industry Involvement
- Partnerships
- Update of goals and strategies
- Entering Recognition and Rewards Programs
- Review of policies and processes
Remember, whilst upgrading your facilities is important, we are looking for more than continuous improvement achievements to your businesses façade. ATAP focuses on the business operating systems in place and the items you list as part of your continuous improvement should reflect this.
May 31, 2012 at 10:50 am | General | No comment
Working with Tourism Australia ebook
Tourism Australia released an ebook this quarter to assist the tourism industry in utilising the national tourism bodies resources, for more information and to locate the ebook click here.
May 31, 2012 at 10:44 am | General | No comment
Tourism Industry hails Myki visitor pack
From The Age website:
A myki visitor pack that includes a ready-to-use card, a map of Melbourne and about $140 of discounts to the city’s major attractions has been welcomed by the tourism industry.
The pack, announced by the state government yesterday, will be available from July 1. It will cost $14 and will include $8 of myki money, enough for a day of travel in zone one. A concession visitor pack (general concession, child and seniors) will be $7 and will include $4 of myki money. Simple top-up instructions will be included.
”It’s good for visitors and good for Melbourne,” said Chris Buckingham, the chief executive of Destination Melbourne.
Myki is to become the only ticketing option on Melbourne’s public transport, as paper tickets are phased out.
John Lee, the chief executive of the Tourism and Transport Forum, said the pack would simplify travel for tourists in Melbourne, taking the guesswork out of fares.
“With all-day travel and discounts at leading Melbourne attractions for less than the price of a movie ticket, this is a truly innovative approach which offers exceptional value to visitors and should be replicated in other states,” he said.
The pack was launched yesterday by the Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder and the Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher.
Click here to read the full article on The Age website.
May 31, 2012 at 10:34 am | General | No comment
City of Greater Bendigo help businesses grow
ATAP joined forces with the City of Greater Bendigo and Uncommon Solutions to assist in delivering a series of workshops with 10 local businesses in Bendigo. Please see below the media release courtesy of City of Greater Bendigo:
Local tourism businesses to graduate
The Grow Your Business Program subsidised by the Victorian Government’s Department of Business and Innovation has just been completed by 9 of the 10 tourism businesses who undertook this specialised business planning and mentoring program.
This Grow Your Business program is a partnership between the City of Greater Bendigo and Bendigo Tourism Board and has been offered to 10 businesses each year over the past 4 years. With eight weeks of expert development sessions and personal business coaching, these businesses worked to develop a strategic business plan which will assist their business and future success in the tourism industry.
The training was provided by Antoinette Danaher, the owner of Uncommon Solutions. A new feature of the program for 2012 was the partnership with ATAP (Australian Tourism Accreditation Program). This partnership provided a unique set of online materials and provided the added benefits of National Tourism Accreditation which is recognised across Australia and New Zealand for businesses who provide outstanding service and facilities.
“The nine graduates are now well placed to more sustainably run their enterprises and all have action plans to reach their goals and growth targets for the next three years,” said Antoinette Danaher, Training Consultant.
“This program creates real jobs in the industry and from this group of graduates two immediate jobs will be created with more to follow as the business plans roll out,” she said.
There is also keen interest among the business graduates in offering future traineeships, providing welcome additional employment to local people. Operators who complete this program will also have the opportunity to become accredited and increase their business profile and status in the tourism industry.
Operators who complete this program will also have increased profitability and effectiveness and are more highly skilled, keenly focused, better networked and well prepared for future growth.
According to the Remplan forecasting model, over the past four years, through the application of the business plans there is forecasted direct employment of 52 employees with overall employment figures reaching 96 people linked to associated flow on effects. The REMPLAN model estimates a potential yield of $21.85M from the application of the plans. A REMPLAN estimate is currently being completed for the 2012 program.
Those graduating tomorrow are SB Libris, Indulge Fine Belgian Chocolates, Meehan Vineyard, OZ Limos, Bridgeward Grove, The Great Stupa, Mick’s Ocean Fresh Fish and Takeaway, Sixty Three on Lucan and Bendigo Visitor Centre – Living Art Space.
Kathryn Mackenzie, Executive Manager Tourism, City of Greater Bendigo said, “We congratulate these local tourism operators who have stepped out of their businesses at a really busy time and made a real commitment to put the spotlight on their business and make set them on a path for future growth. They are well placed to work towards improved service delivery, product development and growth opportunities, which will add to the strength of the local tourism industry.”
To celebrate this achievement in professional development, a graduation event will take place tomorrow, Wednesday 2 May in the Reception Room at the main Council Office in Lyttleton Terrace from 12 noon – 1.30pm. Cr Alec Sandner, Mayor, City of Greater Bendigo will make the presentations at the graduation ceremony.
May 31, 2012 at 10:28 am | General | No comment
The T-QUAL Tick Tour is coming to Victoria
Renowned chef, Matt Moran will be visiting Victoria from 19 – 21 June 2012 as part of the T-QUAL Tick Tour.
To date, the T-QUAL Tick Tour has taken Matt to New South Wales, Tasmania and the Northern Territory to experience and promote restaurants, tours, attractions and accommodation endorsed by the T-QUAL Tick.
These trips have promoted the T-QUAL Tick, and T-QUAL endorsed businesses and operators, to a potential audience of over 6.5 million consumers via 48 online, broadcast and print media articles.
T-QUAL endorsed operators in Victoria will benefit from this media exposure in June when Matt will experience and promote products in Melbourne and the Yarra Valley.
“I’m so excited to visit Victoria on the T-QUAL Tick Tour. As co-owner of ARIA, I understand the importance of promoting quality in the industry.” Matt says.
“I can’t wait to visit a small sample of the high-quality hotels, tours and experiences on offer in Victoria.”
This is a great time for our T-QUAL endorsed members to get on board and start reaping the benefits of the T-QUAL Tick.
The Australian Tourism Accreditation Program (ATAP) is a T-QUAL endorsed quality assurance scheme. This means that businesses and operators that are members of ATAP are, by default, T-QUAL accredited and eligible to use the T-QUAL Tick, as well as the ATAP tick, in their marketing.
To find out how you can use the T-QUAL Tick and benefit from T-QUAL Accreditation’s marketing activities, please contact the ATAP Office on 03 9620 4199. Additionally, you can find more information on T-QUAL Accreditation at Tourism Australia’s corporate website.
