Glen Innes Severn Council Manager of Tourism and Events Peter Teschner pounded the pavement last week to gather local opinion on a branding name change for the district.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Recently, the Glen Innes Severn Tourism Association (GISTA) and Business in Glen (BIG) requested Council undertake a review of the current effectiveness of the ‘Celtic Country’ brand in an effort to ensure that it is still relevant and uniquely positions Glen Innes domestically and internationally.
So, Mr Teschner set off on foot and visited a number of local businesses to gauge their thoughts for the review.
“It is important to get the opinions of local businesses for the review, I know destination and place branding is very important and consulting local business is critical because tourism is everybody’s business,” he said.
“Facts don’t lie; behind agriculture tourism is the second largest driver for business in Glen Innes and the surrounding districts.
“Glen Innes Severn LGA relies significantly on both Agriculture and Tourism generating $64.2m and $50m respectively of the overall economy, the ‘Visitor Economy’ as it is known, also attracts 164,000 day and overnight visitors per year.”
Mr Teschner said some businesses think they have nothing to do with tourism when they actually do.
“I use the example of our local florist, they supply flowers for a wedding, now people would not come to our town but for that wedding,” he said.
“What happens from that wedding is the people who have come to our district for that event stay for a couple of days and check things out, so really it is very valuable for us to get feedback from all local businesses whether they think their opinion matters or not, because I can assure them it does.”
Timbs Pharmacy owner Bill Munro said he appreciated being asked by the council for his opinion.
“I think branding is very important and if we are going to have a change locals should be able to express their opinion,” he said.
“This is a big decision and all facts and opinions should be gathered before anything is decided upon.”