By DANE LILLINGSTONE
Destination Southern Downs has continued on with life after Tracy Vellacott with the announcement of a new marketing manager.
Destination Southern Downs chair Corinne Butler announced the appointment of Anissa Williams as the organisation’s new marketing manager.
Anissa was previously Director of Marketing for Granite Belt Wine and Tourism and has international experience in tourism, events and the wine industry.
She has been contracted for two days a week until 30 June 2016 and will be splitting her time between Warwick and Stanthorpe.
“My challenge and immediate priority, with the DSD marketing team and members, is to develop a clear strategy marketing and brand strategy which gives the region the opportunity to engage with customers and the tourism industry in a meaningful way that drives visitation to the region,” she said.
“That, after all, is the bottom line – attracting more visitors by motivating consumers to visit the Southern Downs and Granite Belt and providing a seamless transition from booking to experiencing our fabulous product.”
Anissa said DSD had big goals and was ready to push the region’s tourism industry.
“We want to be one of the leaders in Queensland and, hopefully, there nationally in terms of local tourism associations,” she said.
“We’re looking at a new website. Just looking at how we can bring the region together.”
“Social media is a prime tool because, though we will have advertising dollars, we’re never going to have the millions of dollars of somewhere like the Gold Coast.”
She declined to comment on any issues regarding neglecting the Granite Belt tourism but instead said she wanted to look to the future.
“For us it’s about moving forward. We do want to bring these two regions together into one region. There’s definitely synergy,” she said.
“There’s going to be a benefit from resource allocations by bringing them together. All I can say is its early days.”
The DSD is also about to launch its inaugural membership prospectus with meetings aimed at providing information on the foundation progress of DSD and its future plans.
Local tourism providers and supporters are invited to attend the sessions in Stanthorpe on Monday 7 September from 5-6pm at the Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre, and in Warwick on Tuesday 8 September from 10.30-11.30am at the Warwick Visitor Information Centre.
