THIS IS A FREE EVENT

Presented by Wander Around Events and Mount Barker Community Bank.

Tourism is transforming in our region and it's time for our local community to get on board! This tourism forum will be the perfect incubator for ideas, growth and collaboration and the perfect platform for Mountain Country to "spring" into the state and national tourism industry. Join tourism experts as we learn about what's happening and what's possible for the future. Let's unlock our tourism potential!

Speakers:

Lenore Lyons - Concept 2 Strategy - Tourism WA

“Trail tourism in the Great Southern: Opportunities to develop new products and experiences”

In 2023, Tourism Western Australia commissioned a trail tourism gap and opportunity analysis in the Perth, Peel, South West, Great Southern and Esperance regions. The project aims to assist tourism operators and start-ups to develop new products and experiences that utilise WA’s world-class trail infrastructure. This presentation will discuss the key findings from this study, with a focus on the Great Southern region. It will discuss trail tourism markets, product and experience gaps, and opportunities to grow new trail tourism experiences.

Dr Alan Briggs - GeoParks WA

“GeoParks - does the model fit for Mountain Country?”

Geoparks are a recent UNESCO program that focuses on conservation of geological heritage but it is not just about geology. Geoparks have been reviving cultural heritage, empowering local communities and creating awareness about fauna and flora. This presentation will provide a background to Geoparks, outline current developments internationally and locally, and look at what a Geopark might be for Mountain Country.

Kathryn MacNeil - Mountain Country Tourism

“Bringing Mountain Country to the tourism table”

Mountain Country Tourism is leading the way in the Great Southern region to support, promote and develop tourism and bring businesses, events and attractions to the intra-state and interstate markets. Kathryn will be presenting key points of the organisation's new tourism strategy, along with some exciting project ideas.

Additional Speakers:

Briony Arnold - WAITOC

Madeline Arnold - Luminesse & Co

Margot Byrne - Stirling Range Trails App

Event Schedule:

9:30am registration and event expo

10:00am Opening and speaker presentations and question time

12noon Light Lunch - sponsored by the Mount Barker CRC

12:30pm Speaker presentations and panel discussion

2pm Forum Close

2:30 - 5pm Business Networking at Plantagenet Hotel (free glass of local wine and nibbles on arrival)

Sponsorship packages available - please email tourism@mountbarkerwa.com.au for more information