Let’s tap into the visitor economy

As far as Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell is concerned, the newly appointed South Australian Tourism Commission CEO Emma Terry looms as a perfect fit for developing the tourism opportunities Mount Gambier specifically and, most broadly, the Limestone Coast.

Set to start in the role early next year, Ms Terry can except a personal invitation from the Member for Mount Gambier to land on her desk in her earliest correspondence, with Mr Bell wanting to take the CEO on a personal tour of Mount Gambier and start brainstorming the future path for tourism in the Blue Lake City.

Tourism and its potential growth as an industry in Mount Gambier has long been a focus of the local MP. “I have always said we live in one of the best cities in the world and it’s time for Mount Gambier to be recognised nationally and internationally as a prime visitor destination,” Mr Bell said.

Ahead of the busy summer holiday period, our city needs to product development and paid experiences,” Mr Bell said. “Any money that is coming from the State Government should be directed to those outcomes.” Recent investment in the region has been significantly directed to upgrading of current accommodation facilities and some new accommodation offerings.

“…I’ll also be asking that our city gets a greater slice of the SATC’s marketing budget..” Troy Bell (Member for Mount Gambier)

“If we focus on product development and attracting more tourists to our region then that will get the occupancy up and investment in accommodation can be financed as a result of that increased patronage,” Mr Bell said.

The Member for Mount Gambier also said it was important to maximize its opportunities and stand out from the crowd. At the moment, we’re lacking a strong brand and linkages between those paid tourism experiences. “We’ve got these incredible natural assets in our crater lakes and sinkholes and we need to package and market those experiences with the help of the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) to encourage visitors to stay longer in our city and wider region.” And building the city’s connection to the South Australian Tourism Commission and having the newly minted CEO able to bring her expertise to the development of the local industry is high on the Member for Mount Gambier’s priority list. “I want to work with the SATC to have our focus on

“…I want to work with the SATC to have our focus on product development and paid experiences…any money that is coming from the State Government should be directed to those outcomes…” Troy Bell (Member for Mount Gambier)

The tourism dollar spreads throughout our economy – accommodation, hospitality, retail,” he said. “And it is an industry that attracts young employees and is a way to provide opportunities for our young people to stay in the region to pursue a career.” A long standing advocate of building a strong nature-based tourism reputation, that is where Mr Bell believes Ms Terry, who comes to the South Australian role from a position with Tourism Tasmania, already has a deep understanding of building that style of tourism experience.

“Ms Terry has come from Tourism Tasmania, which has a very strong brand, long-running events such as Dark Mofo and also, a similar nature-based tourism outlook and climate to Mount Gambier,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to showing her our city and hearing her thoughts on how we can progress and grow our visitor economy and I’ll also be asking that our city gets a greater slice of the SATC’s marketing budget.”

Having Ms Terry’s fresh set of eyes as well as the recent change in personnel of city growth and tourism roles through the City of Mount Gambier and Limestone Coast Local Government Association should inject new ideas into the city’s tourism outlook.

“…it is an industry that attracts young employees and is a way to provide opportunities for our young people to stay in the region to pursue a career…” Troy Bell (Member for Mount Gambier)

The return of international travel also sees this as a perfect time to bring a fresh approach to promoting the city on the national and international tourism scene.

“We have an opportunity to hit the ground running and it will take all hands on deck, from the operators working on the ground right up to the CEO of our state’s tourism body,” he said.

“In my Future Mount Gambier & Districts plan, I proposed $6million over the next four years to invest in product and experience development for the city, including encouraging entrepreneurial
Legend of the Lakes, Generations in Jazz, the Medieval Festival, bringing those visitors to our city however there’s always room for more growth.”

Spitballing potential tourism experiences, Mr Bell was focussed on the likes of four-wheel driving, a chair lift, ziplining and bungee jumping and referenced Queenstown in New Zealand, that has gone chips in on being the Adrenaline Capital of New Zealand.

He was also hopeful Ms Terry would be able to work with local operators on developing attractive winter tourism experiences – again given Tasmania and Mount Gambier share similar climes.