Peter Glen - 26 September 2017
Peter Glen made comments regarding Eurobodalla - the Inclusive Holiday Destination - Letting Holiday Makers Know How Inclusive we are at the Ordinary Council Meeting 26 September 2017.
Council's Reply
I understand that you have spoken with Elizabeth Rankin, Divisional Manager Strategy and Sustainable Growth regarding your concerns. Council acknowledges and agrees with the importance of enhancing the tourism offering in the Eurobodalla to ensure that it is an accessible tourism destination that is welcoming and inclusive of people of all ages and abilities.
Council, together with industry, has to continue to work in developing product and experience that is inclusive of all abilities and ensure that this product is promoted and marketed across all media channels and through our public relation and marketing campaigns.
Council has made some progress in this area as identified through the listings on the Eurobodalla tourism website via this link: http://www.eurobodalla.com.au/Where-to-Stay/accessible.
Council has also commenced a process via the tourism business web page to identify and encourage listings of products that have a genuine accessible offering. Details on how to take advantage of this listing can be found via the following link: http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/living-in/about/tourism2/tourism-promotion/campaign-opportunities .
The objective is to create a consumer resource to promote accessible holiday itineraries, accommodation, eating out, attractions and activities.
Council and industry recognise that an evidenced based approach to destination management identifying and prioritising future opportunities to deliver on a range of actions and initiatives is needed. A comprehensive review of the Eurobodalla Destination Management Plan 2011-2020 (the DMP) has led to a recent restructure of the tourism unit within council including the creation of a new position of a Tourism and Events Manager.
This strategic decision of council is fundamental to its shift to ensuring there is effective leadership and strategic management to manage and grow the visitor economy.
Amongst the actions and initiatives drawn from the DMP, is a requirement to work with Destination NSW’s experience sector in delivering on tourism product and experience development for the accessible tourism sector. This work will commence early in 2018 under the guidance of the new Tourism Manager and will involve a collaborative process with industry, Council’s Disability Advisory Committee, advocacy groups and the broader community.