The Shire of Collie is holding a follow-up event from their recent Business Connection information session held last month with a new session focused on tourism.
The free session being held at the Collie Visitor Centre from 6-8pm on Thursday, August 30 is open for business owners, retail staff and any interested community members who want to learn how to keep visitors in town for longer.
The previous session held on July 5 updated local businesses on what was being done at state, local government and community level to help prepare the business sector for the future.
Collie Visitor Centre Manager Lisa Gillespie said the centre would provide an overview of Collie’s tourism offerings and services available for visitors on the night.
“Visitor numbers and enquiries continue to increase as Collie gains interest as a tourism destination,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to familiarising businesses with what is on offer as we progress together as a community into an exciting future.”
The session will also feature case studies from a local accommodation provider and tourism ambassadors.
Why I #visitcollie Facebook page administrator Steve Roney said residents need to do their bit to help tourism flourish in Collie.
“It doesn’t take any special skills to be a tourist in your own town,” he said.
“It can be as simple as popping up some pictures on Facebook, posting a good review, or giving a local business a like and a share.”
Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray said the tourism industry was not going to be the be-all and end-all of Collie’s economic future, however it still played a significant role in the success of the Collie community.
“The tourism industry is an emerging part of the Collie economy which we need to build on going into the future,” he said.
“Collie has a range of fantastic tourist attraction including the Collie Motorplex, Stockton Lake, Minninup Pool, Black Diamond Lake and the revamped Coalfields Museum, among others.”
Shire of Collie president Sarah Stanley said it was important for businesses and community members to give visitors the best experience possible.
“Tourism is everybody’s business. It doesn’t matter whether you sell coffees or tyres, or just enjoy living in Collie, the flow-on benefits from an increase in tourism dollars can benefit the entire community,” she said.
The last session heard several presentations from the Collie Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the South West Development Commission, the office of Collie-Preston MLA Mick Murray and Operation Next Gen about what they can do to help promote business development in town.
For more information or to RSVP, call 9734 9000.
