The need to continually promote the area as a premiere tourist destination has meant Barossa Tourism has a new team leader.
The role of Regional Tourism Manager of the Barossa has been filled by former Herald journalist and writer for Wine Business Magazine Nathan Gogoll (pictured right), who began work on Monday.
Mr Gogoll explained the Regional Development Australia Barossa administered the role, while Tourism Barossa led the initiative.
“This move is positive for the Barossa as it was Tourism Barossa who put their hands in their own pockets to fund the role, with Barossa Council and Light Regional Council also on board,” he said.
In May 2011, concerns were raised by Barossa’s tourist operators when the SA Tourism Commission announced major changes to the state’s tourism set up.
This restructure involved the departure of the Barossa’s Regional Tourism Manager Jaci Thorne and Regional Tourism Co-ordinator Paige Noble.
In August 2011, Ms Thorne said confidence was placed with Tourism Barossa to continue to support the region as a premiere wine, food and events destination.
Ms Thorne praised them for having the drive and strategies to make sure the region didn’t fall off the radar.
Less than five months on and Barossa’s tourism path looks clearer with the new role and the release of the Barossa Product Audit product gap.
The extensive report identified short to long term tourism opportunities for the Barossa to consider - to support the region over the next 20 years.
Mr Gogoll said the audit gap will essentially be a blueprint for him and key tourism stakeholders to use.
His background in media means he will begin by working to build strong contacts with media and communication outlets, local, state and international, to ensure the Barossa is reaching all audiences.
He will also work to support Tourism Barossa’s membership base of more than 200.
Having mainly observed tourism, Mr Gogoll said he will rely on tourism contacts within the Barossa.
He explained he looks forward to working alongside the region’s tourism operators to see first-hand how they attract state and international visitors to the Barossa.
And he will plan to work on improving the amount of Adelaide visitors to the Barossa.
In other news Regional South Australian tourism operators are invited to take part in a joint marketing campaign to promote self-drive holidays between Adelaide and Darwin.
The campaign focuses on the Explorers Way, which links the two cities, and will highlight regions including the Barossa.
The campaign is still being developed and a key component involves the creation of a smart phone app that can be downloaded by travellers.
The app will allow users to learn about adventures they can experience on their drive, and bonuses of ‘Mates Rates’, which is a range of discounts, plus upgrades and other offers from tourism operators and businesses along the way.
More details are to come.
Email a friend