Tourism: Terrorism, Farm Tourism, Backpackers Conference

The Tourism Industry Needs To Factor Terrorist Threats Into Business Risks

There is still evidence of an ad hoc approach to security in Australia’s tourism industry, according to a new report.

Terrorism and the Australian Tourism Industry, issued last week by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, also states that tourism is:

“a sector that is one of the most vulnerable to the threat of terrorism…tourism infrastructure often involves the large assembly of people, making them vulnerable to mass-casualty terrorism. Targeting foreign tourists in particular attracts international media attention and media coverage provides the ‘oxygen’ for such groups.”

There is a “constant stream of high-profile international events” coming to Australia in the next few years, such as:

• World Youth Day – billed as the largest youth event in the world – to be held in Sydney mid 2008
• The Catholic Church event, to be attended by Pope Benedict XVI, is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world.

The report says the industry ought to begin planning its security and that

“tourism businesses should be able to claim the cost of installing security and… greater consideration should be given to granting limited tax breaks on company profits derived directly from the adoption of security measures.”

North Queensland Farm Tourism Workshops

The latest farm tourism workshops begin next month with a session in the North Queensland town of El Arish on March 6 from 9.15am to 3pm.

The Sustainable Tourism CRC has a Farm and Nature Tourism Field Day Program developed for local farmers and rural landowners.

They aim to provide education about agri and nature-based tourism operations, and how they are options for alternative or value-added income generation on-farm.

Experts will take attendees through a preliminary assessment on the day with the Stage 1 Assessment Tool that identifies whether a region and property have the attributes for a successful tourism venture.

For more information call 1800 110 402 or email sbfoinfo@fnqacc.com

ATEC Backpackers Conference Day – Tuesday 29 April 2008

The Backpacker Tourism Advisory Panel (BTAP) in conjunction with ATEC will be hosting the annual ATEC Backpacker Conference day as part of the 2008 ATEC Symposium event.

Time: 8.30am – 5.30pm

Venue: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wharf Road, Newcastle, NSW.

Cost: $350.00 incl GST includes full day conference, morning and afternoon teas and lunch.

You can register here.

Feedback on any of these topics would be welcome…