March, 17 2020 TGGB Executive Director Update
Dear members, partners and tourism industry colleagues,
For the past few weeks we’ve been sharing tourism industry specific information about COVID-19, the impacts on international markets and government responses.
With the Victorian Government declaration of a state of emergency, the situation is now broader than the visitor economy. We have a responsibility to act in the best interests of our community whilst also supporting the tourism industry during this enormously challenging time.
We’re following advice on what we can practically do to limit the spread of the virus and making decisions based on the best advice from all levels of government and health officials.
VISITOR SERVICING
We’ve transitioned all visitor information services across the region to phone and email services. Each site has clear instructions for how travellers can reach our team. The service will continue to be provided from 9am – 5pm, 7 days per week via 1800 755 611 or vic@tourismgeelongbellarine.com.au
TOURISM OFFICE
The tourism office remains open 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday. Some staff are working remotely as appropriate to their roles in response to the social distancing measures suggested by health officials. Team Tourism is working and available should you need to get in touch.
These arrangements are in place until we receive advice that they should change.
WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON
As a team, we’re making good use of technology to ensure work progresses on some of the important projects we’re planning. As the situation unfolds we’ll do what we can to provide support and information to our members.
We’re considering our professional development schedule, how we can adjust it according to your needs during this situation and deliver it in a way that’s socially responsible and limits unnecessary community health risk. We’re planning a series of webinars in response to the COVID-19 situation and these will be released in the coming days.
When the time is right, we’ll work with our members and the relevant tourism bodies to implement recovery activity that will encourage greater visitation and will capitalise on domestic short break visitation led by the ‘Holiday Here This Year’ campaign by Tourism Australia and ‘A Short Stay Will Go A Long Way’ activity by Visit Victoria.
WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR BUSINESS
- You’ll find some excellent advice and tailored information at our COVID-19 resource centre, and we’re updating it all the time as we discover new material and fresher insights.
- Sign up for a Tourism webinar when the invitation hits your inbox.
- The Geelong Chamber is conducting a webinar for local businesses with expert panellists from business, finance, digital, technology systems and health. It’s on Thursday 19 March from 2pm – 3pm and anyone can register.
- Think creatively and keep customers engaged. Let them know what you’re doing now to ensure safety, consider whether you can offer deliveries or encourage postponement rather than cancellation.
- You might find yourself with more time to work on your business when you’re usually totally consumed working in it. Use it to do all those things you’ve been putting off.
WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COMMUNITY
- Let’s support each other as much as we can. That might be using local butchers and bakers. It might be buying a gift voucher from a small business that will help their cash flow now, to be redeemed later. As the situation is always evolving, check what’s open and follow official advice.
- Connect to the official State and Federal health channels, stay informed and take care of each other.
We’re in unchartered waters and things are changing rapidly, but tourism is a resilient industry full of strong characters and we’re operating in an incredible region. Let’s support each other as we navigate this difficult period, then continue our cooperative approach to bounce back stronger, together.
Brett Ince
Brett Ince
Executive Director
Tourism Greater Geelong & The Bellarine
Level 1, 48 Brougham Street
Geelong VIC 3220
P: 03 5223 2588
