Hi all:

Yesterday, & even this morning, my google alert for the Flinders Ranges have brought up some interesting articles, such as this one found in New Scientist

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20727740.201-found-worlds-oldest-animal-fossils.html

However I became somewhat confused.  The articles seemed to be talking about a time period prior to the Ediacaran that we all learnt so much about from the South Australian Museum experts, & Ediacaran fossils don’t seem to have been mentioned in any of the articles I scanned.  I contacted Peter Cahalan to see if FROSAT could investigate any further.

FLINDERS RANGES NATIONAL LANDSCAPES

What’s Happening?

• Tourism Australia continue to “sell” National Landscapes to the world – check out http://www.australia.com/campaigns/nationallandscapes/FlindersRanges.htm
• The australia.com “National Landscapes” page receives 1.4million hits per month & is translated into 14 languages.
• This is the only region specific information on australia.com – each NL having it’s own promotional, downloadable DVD
• World media have been supplied with fact sheets on the Flinders Ranges National Landscape, we have featured in international travel publications; Dreamscapes, My Australia, Australian Geographic and Travelling in Australia
• International travel agents wishing to specialise in Australia now must complete a “National Landscapes” module before they will be an approved “Aussie Specialist”.

What’s new?

• We have won commonwealth funding to develop a Flinders Ranges Experiences Development Strategy.
• The EDS is a specialist strategy focused on identifying & developing world class experiences.
• A tender will go out to consultants to assist in developing and writing the EDS
• Workshops will be held to seek operator input – much the same as the Interpretation and Branding strategies developed during the Mountains of Memory project.

What does this mean for me/my business?

• If you are not already, this may provide you with an opportunity to sell your “product” internationally – either directly or as a part of a wider experience
• You may find a product gap that you can fill
• By being aware of, and linking to, other National Landscape experiences you will, as a minimum, increase the number of potential customers who are aware of you
• In short – greater exposure = greater potential turnover!

How Can I be involved?

• Come to the workshops!!  I strongly encourage you all to come along to the workshops, you don’t have to be an expert in destination development, or marketing, or branding, you don’t need to be a huge tourism business with a limitless marketing budget – just be passionate about your business and tourism in the Flinders Ranges!
• As more information becomes available I will send it out.  At this stage it appears as if the workshops will be held around January & February 2011 – stay tuned!
• Align yourself with the Brand.  Use the FR logo – it is downloadable from FRTOA website, free to use & immediately identifies you as a Flinders Ranges operator. Go to: http://www.frtoa.com.au/branding complete a condition of use document & send to FRTOA & use of the logo is yours.

How can I find out more?

• Contact your FRTOA representatives on the Flinders Ranges National Landscapes Project Steering Committee.  They are:
  • Jannene Cannard tours@pichirichicameltours.com
  • Carmel Reynolds reynoldswsp@activ8.net.au
  • Shirley Mills copley.caravanpark@activ8.net.au
  • Bill McIntosh gumcreek@activ8.net.au

Outback Business Networking in conjunction with the 4th Desert Knowledge Symposium & Business Showcase

Wednesday 10 November – Thursday 11 November 2010 – Alice Springs Convention Centre, Alice Springs NT

You are invited to join Outback Business Networks members at the 2010 Desert Knowledge Symposium and Business Showcase.
The Business Showcase provides an excellent opportunity to:

• Build networks with businesses and organisations in desert regions.
• Promote your products and services.
• Meet other members face to face

Download the DK Business Showcase flyer

Two Day Workshop

Thursday 9th & Friday 10th September 2010

The Old Willows Brewery Restaurant, Quorn.

Download pdf flyer Two Day Workshop Media Invitation

Tourism Operators Association Inc present:

• Have you ever dreamed of sending out media releases that are snapped up by travel writers?
• Do you want to market your business—cost free!
• Get brilliant media support?
• Don’t know where to start or what makes a good story?
• Have you ever considered how you could work with the media to keep visitors coming, even after a natural crisis, e.g. bushfire?

Bianca Borrett is the Communications & Business Development Manager for the South Australian Tourism Industry Council. Responsible for coordinating an effective communications strategy, Bianca comes to her role with over ten years experience in the industry, previously with the South Australian Tourism Commission, in a number of positions including Ministerial Liaison, Public Relations and as the South Australian Tourism Awards Manager.

Kym Tilbrook has worked as a travel writer and senior journalist with the Advertiser for 37 years. Kym has edited both Getting Out and Out & About, has written 3 best selling travel books and has worked as an RAA Travel writer for over 10 years. Awarded the Harry Dowling Award in 1999 for the most significant contribution by an individual to regional tourism, there is no-one better to teach you how to capture, & keep, media attention—for all the right reasons! Kym will also discuss how to build a targeted distribution system and why the media seems to focus on some experiences & not others, plus much, much more.

Book Now! Places are limited.

Download the Working with Media Registration Form

FRTOA Members: Full price $240.00pp

Non-FRTOA Members: Full price $300.00pp

It’s time to save the date!

3-5 November is confirmed for this year’s Australian Cycle Tourism Conference, to be held at Orroroo in the Southern Flinders Ranges, South Australia. We have confirmed our first key-note speaker – Troy Rarick! For those of you who have heard Troy speak before, I am sure you will agree that he is an inspiring and motivational cycle tourism advocate. Details of other key note speakers will be released over the next few months. Please forward this e-mail to your networks, and I recommend booking your accommodation and transport soon. If you know of someone who wants to receive regular updates, tell them to give me their e-mail address and make sure your Junk E-mail filter is set to allow my e-mails through!

Registration forms will be out in early August, and so until then, happy cycling and be sure to keep the dates free in your diary.

With kind regards,

Stephen Schwer
Tourism Development Officer
Southern Flinders Regional Tourism Authority