Tourism businesses on the Great Ocean Road prepare for return of Asian visitors
Local tourism operators along Victoria’s Great Ocean Road are getting prepared and ready for the future of post-COVID travel, with the launch of a new training initiative.
Asialink Business is delighted to be partnering with Warrnambool City Council to deliver Connecting With Asia, an innovative program that supports tourism operators to build Asia capabilities, deepen their market insight and forge new connections.
Launched during an intensive two-day workshop in Warrnambool on 19-20 April, Connecting With Asia is purpose-designed to assist the Great Ocean Road Region to continue to recover from the impacts of COVID-19. The program will help build a strong and resilient visitor economy and create a network of business leaders equipped for future growth.
Asialink Business Director of Capability Development, Catherine Mudford, said: "We are very excited to be supporting this initiative. Connecting with Asia provides regional tourism business operators with tools, knowledge, and networks to foster resilience and continue to recover and succeed post-COVID-19.
“The program will ensure they are capable and confident in providing high quality visitor experiences, both to Asian-Australian domestic travelers, and to international visitors when they can return to Victoria's world-famous tourism destinations."
Eighteen leaders from fourteen local businesses who are committed to becoming Asia Capable industry leaders have been selected to participate. The businesses represent the range of products, services and experiences that the Great Ocean Road offers, including accommodation, food and beverage and entertainment.
When asked during the opening workshop what they hope to achieve from Connecting With Asia, participants said they wanted to enhance their cross-cultural communication skills, learn how to tap into new markets, and understand how to tailor their visitor experiences.
Tom Dennis, Owner and Manager of historic Tarndie homestead and sheep farm, said: "For us it’s about how to develop a visitor experience and product that is a sophisticated and meaningful thing for people from Asia to do".
As the first step in a four month-long journey, the April intensive focused on the theme of "connecting with and influencing Asian tourists at home and away." Participants explored how to inspire and influence tourists from China, India and Southeast Asia, as well as Asian-Australian visitors.
Building on the widely successful and nationally recognised China Host Program, participants also met program alumni from the Deep Blue Hot Springs, with a tour of their facilities in Warrnambool.
The next phase in Connecting with Asia will focus on assisting participants to undertake a personalised analysis of their own businesses, and advice on customising their offerings for Asian visitors, including how to use social media and other digital platforms to better connect with travellers and enhance their visitor experience.
For more on Connecting With Asia, reach out to ecodev@warrnambool.vic.gov.au
Or contact our capability development team via contact@asialinkbusiness.com.au.
Read more on the earlier iteration of the initiative, the inaugural China Host Program, here.