By DANE LILLINGSTONE
DESTINATION Southern Downs’ new Implementation Project Manager Tracy Dobie has settled into her new role and explained how the group will evolve tourism in the region.
Tracy said that her role was to implement the TEAM tourism strategy from 2012, while her immediate job is overseeing the introduction of Destination Southern Downs membership across the region.
In what will be a first for tourism operators in Warwick, the membership prospectus is expected to be released this week and outlines what Destination Southern Downs will be offering.
Tracy said they were projecting for the next phase of Destination Southern Downs to be implemented over the next six to nine months, but their funding would rely on memberships.
“Destination Southern Downs doesn’t have a lot of funding. The Southern Downs Regional Council has given us a grant,” she said.
“To enable us to do what we need to do for the region, we’re going to need more money to market.
“We want to be able to go outside the region and tell people what a great place the Southern Downs is.”
With the introduction of a paid tourism membership to Warwick for the first time, she admitted she did not know how it would turn out and warned that funding would not be sought from council.
“Under current circumstances, no, it would be very hard to ask for more money,” she said.
“By having a membership we can ask people to pay a fee. For the fee we will provide a service. Those services will involve marketing, assistance with event marketing and assistance with the visitor information centre.”
Although Tracy said she had no previous experience in the tourism industry, she is a local to the region.
“I grew up between Warwick and Stanthorpe. I left at 17 and I’ve always wanted to come home,” she said.
Tracy said that since July, over 4000 people had come through the Warwick Visitor Information Centre. She also said they were a level one accredited centre.
They are currently looking for more volunteers to ensure both the Stanthorpe and Warwick information centres can continue to remain open seven days a week.
“If you don’t have ambassadors when they come in the door then we’re not providing a service,” she said.
In response to any favouritism or questions over the Warwick and Stanthorpe divide, she said it was not an issue.
“Why can’t they all work together? she asked.
