Info session to help businesses get ‘China ready’

THE Warrnambool City Council will use $150,000 of state government funding to lead an Australian-first business mentoring program to help businesses in the Great Ocean Road region capitalise on the booming Chinese tourism industry.

The program will include one-on-one mentoring, advanced marketing support, identification and analysis of world-class case studies and an introduction to popular Chinese social media platform WeChat.

It will also include a series of workshops outlining an array of simple measures that all businesses can take to encourage patronage by Chinese visitors.

The program will be delivered by industry experts Asialink Business, the Australian Tourism and Export Council, Dragon Trail and South West TAFE

At the event, a presentation and Q&As will be provided by China experts and leading training provider Asialink Business, who will be providing information on the China Host Program that will be delivered throughout the region in 2018/19.

Warrnambool City Council manager of economic development and investment Shaun Miller said the support from the state government will allow for the expansion of the award-winning Changchun sister city relationship and the Warrnambool China Bureau.

“It reinforces our city’s China Strategy that aims for Warrnambool to be the leading ‘China Ready’ city in Australia.

“This is an intensive leadership program that will provide participating businesses with the tools and support to ensure our local service levels are internationally renowned while also becoming global leaders in catering for the burgeoning Asian tourism market.

“Our region encompasses the coastal landscapes, world class nature and amazing food and wines the Chinese market is craving and this program ensures our services and experiences are capitalising on that.

“Chinese tourism in Victoria is projected to continue to grow and is the Great Ocean Road’s the largest and fastest growing market.

“With tourism one of the most important industries across the region, it’s vitally important that we do everything we can to ensure international visitors have best possible experience.

“Any business that has the capacity to cater for Chinese tourists and is dedicated to becoming an industry leader is encouraged to apply.”

The China Host Program information session will be held at the Pavilion Café and Bar, 50 Viaduct Road, Warrnambool on Friday, August 24 from 10am-noon.

Refreshments provided, and bookings are essential. For more information, email [email protected].