Benefits touted in more tourism cooperation

Posted October 2, 2008 08:34:00

New research shows the New South Wales mid-north coast region's tourism industry could benefit from a more coordinated approach from all levels of government.

A report from the Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre (STCRC) provides analysis of 76 tourism strategies and plans at a national, state and local level.

It says local government areas often have tourism strategies which do not align with their state's approach.

The STCRC's John Fitzgerald says key areas like Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour would attract more visitors if there was better cooperation.

"It found that there was a lack of involvement, particularly in product supply issues from tourism organisations across the country, so there was a real focus on marketing, but perhaps less of a focus on involvement in infrastructure and investment planning and issues surrounding things such as labour and work force issues, so there is an opportunity for the industry," he said.

The Coffs coast marketing manager says the region is already trying to implement a more coordinated approach to tourism.

Rob Cleary says the Coffs Coast Tourism Strategy is based on destination management, with a focus on product supply rather than promotion in isolation.

He says the first stage of the strategy involves a memorandum of understanding between the Coffs Harbour City and Bellingen Shire councils.

Tags: tourism, travel-and-tourism, coffs-harbour-2450, port-macquarie-2444