Collaboration And A Bright Future For Murray River Tourism

The Murraylands Regional Tourism Association (MRTA) and creative webmaster, Shane Strudwick, have joined forces to cooperatively promote their region, create regional economic growth and reduce marketing costs.

Shane explains:

“The philosophy of new tourism marketing for the Murray River and mallee is based on whole community participation that attracts new tourism opportunities while creating a sustainable future through operator education. The internet has opened amazing ways for communities to work together and connect with the savvy travelling visitor who expects much more than a brochureware website. They want a unique tourism experience and value for money that gives them a reason to visit.”

New Direction, New Website, Revitalised Brand

With the new Murraylands website, to be launched late January 2009, content will be drawn from Shane’s Discover Murray site and operators will be able to fully edit their own content, photos, specials, packages, news etc. Shane is sure the region and ultimately the state will benefit.

MRTA operators, Council and Regional Development Board reps and politicians have all been impressed with the Web 2.0 technology and the Murraylands towns of Morgan and Cadell have already successfully piloted this concept.

MRTA Chairperson, Jenny Whitehorn, says:

“Murraylands operators will have access to cutting edge technology and develop skills to update their own content keeping it fresh and vibrant, ultimately delivering the best Murraylands experience for the visitor…

Linking Murraylands in with the national Discover Murray Trail connects us to the whole of the Murray including Victoria and NSW which gives us a new market to attract.

Our community can create events, show water update info and assist our operators through tourism education using online forums etc.

This will improve our competitiveness while reinvigorating resilient members who’ve been hurting since the decline in tourism.

Despite reports, there’s lots of water in the Murray for a great holiday and we’re finding new ways of getting the message out.”

For more info you can contact:

Jenny Whitehorn – Murraylands Regional Tourism Association
Ph: 0439 829 964

Shane Strudwick – Discover Murray
Ph: (08) 8363 6244
M: 0409 678 654
E: shane@rivermurray.com

Good luck with the new venture – let’s know how it all goes?