TWEED TOURISM is about to kick into overdrive under the newly formed Tweed Tourism Company, who are eager to engage with local operators and help put the Tweed Shire on the tourism map.
DR Tourism recently took over the promotion of the Tweed’s tourism from Destination Tweed after winning a $950,000 a year contract from Tweed Shire Council.
Tweed Tourism Company General Manager Brad Nardi along with DR Tourism founder and director Robbie Cornelius made the official introductions to more than 50 local tourism operators and owners at the Tweed Experiences Network (TEN) meeting on Monday, October 8.
The meeting took place at the recently opened Tweed Valley Whey Farmhouse Cheeses in Burringbar, with owners and long-time local dairy farmers Rob and Sue Harnett and Peter and Sue Clarke.
Tweed Valley Whey officially opened on Sunday, September 30, with an estimated 1,000 people flocking to see the new business and sample some of the amazing cheeses made on-site.
“We sold out of several cheeses on the first day,” Mrs Harnett said.
“The Fresian Fog (white mould cheese) and Normandy Camembert were both a huge hit.”
The register has since been running hot at the new business, which provided the perfect setting for DR Tourism to make their introductions and official tourism strategy launch.
Mr Nardi spoke about the future of Tweed tourism with dozens of operators and TEN members eagerly awaiting his announcements.
Mr Nardi spoke about the unique nature of the Tweed Shire and the need to place an emphasis on its strong local appeal through collaboration and connection between Tweed tourism operators.
“The DR Tourism team are very proud to be promoting the Tweed Shire and we have a strong commitment to the Tweed,” he said.
Mr Nardi already has a connection with the Tweed Shire having been raised in the Northern Rivers and brings an established knowledge base about the shire.
He’s currently living with family in the Byron Shire and is looking for a property in Kingscliff to base himself.
Mr Nardi was quick to acknowledge the efforts of Destination Tweed and its CEO Rose Wright.
“Rose has done a fantastic job and I’d like to acknowledge her outstanding efforts, many of which DR Tourism hopes to continue,” Mr Nardi said.
“The theme of the evening is collaboration and during the next few months we plan on connecting with local tourism operators to gain a greater understanding of their needs and build a database.
“Ultimately, we also need to represent entrepreneurial businesses and work together for the future.”
Mr Nardi said he had already assessed Tweed’s visitor information centres to make sure they are working on behalf of the industry.
“We see huge value in the Tweed’s information centres and we want to make sure the centres are firing for you,” he said.
While Mr Nardi did not mention whether the information centres’ structure will change, he said DR Tourism would seek to implement new accounting and point of sale software initially.
Another announcement made by Mr Nardi was collaboration with tourism operators through the Tweed Industry Insight Survey.
“We are rolling the survey out from this week and we are encouraging Tweed tourism operators to complete the survey, which will become an invaluable resource for the future of the shire’s tourism,” he said.
“Personal information will be collected but this will remain confidential and will not be shared.”
Mr Nardi also hinted at the introduction of a mentoring and training program for development to focus on the businesses across the shire.
Mr Nardi was asked a range of questions including whether tourism operator fees would remain in place as well as some of the weaknesses that need addressing across the Tweed tourism sector.
“We would like to see of some sort of fee structure remain,” he said.
“This will ensure we have a dedicated tourism market, that’s not just testing the water and I’m supportive of a fee structure.”
In response to the shire’s weaknesses, Mr Nardi said he believes the website and online presence need to be improved. Nothing has been said though whether they would get it done from a professional in the same vicinity or from an expert in website design Bristol, or elsewhere, having international significance.
“The website is certainly a starting point as well as developing the social media channels,” he said.
“There’s also a need to develop the local events and online tourism initiatives through social media.”
Mr Nardi and the DR Tourism team were praised by tourism operators and owners, with plenty of well wishing for their future and words of encouragement.
TEN president Kym Marston said he wanted to congratulate DR Tourism on their presentation and wish them the best for the future.
“I would like to welcome DR Tourism to the Tweed Shire, which as they know we’re not the Gold Coast and we’re not Byron, we’re the Tweed and we’re proud of it,” he said.
“I believe DR Tourism will do a great job promoting the shire and we’re looking forward to working with them.”
