Who should I be talking to?
It is often said that to really succeed in business it’s not ‘what you know’ but ‘who you know’. Establishing networks as early as possible is even more important in the tourism industry. Tourism is an amalgam of small and often family-based enterprises that have little time to get out and observe other operations.
Victoria is well served by a network of regional tourism organisations (RTO) and local tourism associations (LTA) . They are often attached to, or affiliated with, councils. Both types of association will most likely charge a modest membership fee, which will entitle you:
- to attend networking functions, workshops/ seminars,
- receive email and/or hardcopy newsletters,
- use their research sources,
- place brochures in their visitor information centres,
- call upon the help of their staff for advice.
Contact Tourism Alliance Victoria for RTO & LTA contact details.
It may also be advisable to introduce your business to the Economic Development Officer of the local council or to the appropriate regional economic development agency. Both organisations probably run seminars/ workshops from time to time that could be of value to your business and which enable you to mix with other local business people.
Take time to introduce yourself and to keep in contact with the staff of the local visitor information centre (V.I.C.). The ability to place your brochures in the V.I.C. and to receive business referrals from their staff may require you to be a financial member of the local tourism association. Some V.I.C.s also operate commercial booking services, which generally charge the industry standard commission rate of 10%.
Regional campaign committees exist in most areas of the State. They are private sector driven voluntary organizations that are charged by Tourism Victoria with the responsibility for the marketing of a key region of the State. Their activities can provide many cost effective marketing and business development opportunities for tourism operators.
There is likely to be a member-based industry association for your tourism sector. Most of these organisations provide extensive industry information and training services, an annual conference and more informal networking opportunities. Some have branches in regional Victoria. Many of them also provide member access to discounted buying schemes for items such as insurances, telecommunications etc. Click here to access the websites of the larger tourism and hospitality industry associations.
The State Tourism Organisation - Tourism Victoria - is not a member organization, but it does organise a number of industry learning events throughout the year. At these events you can meet and share information with tourism operators from around the state. Learn more about the structure and operation of Tourism Victoria .
There are a number of useful tourism industry newsletters, which can keep you up to date about marketing opportunities, as well as trends and issues affecting your sector. Most of them are in electronic form. The following links will take you to some of the most popular newsletters, where you can add yourself to the database to receive regular updates and notifications of special events.
- Tourism Victoria Industry News
- Tourism Australia
- Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre (STCRC)
- Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC)
- Australian Regional Tourism Research Centre
The Office of Small Business has a network of 12 business centres across Victoria, where you can access information and speak to someone about business planning and other issues related to business establishment. Click here to see locations.
Case study (95kb): A tourism business operator who uses industry contacts, networks and accesses learning opportunities to improve performance and profitability.
Some other useful links for businesses starting out:
ABN registration: www.registeracompany.com.au
Tax File Number registration: www.ato.gov.au
Domain name registration: www.auda.org.au/domains/au-domains
Business licensing: www.blis.business.vic.gov.au
Legal requirements, compliance, licences, registrations and legals: http:/sblegal.industry.gov.au
Record keeping and accounting systems: www.ato.gov.au/rsf/business
Employing people: obligations and laws
www.workplace.gov.au
www.fwo.gov.au
www.workplaceauthority.gov.au
Skills and development training: www.training.com.au
Occupational health and safety:
www.ascc.gov.au
www.smallbusinessohs.com.au