Registrations are now open for the workshops that will be held across all the Sunshine State’s 13 tourism regions.
The industry-focused Digital Ready and Trade Ready programs will offer training and upskilling opportunities designed to help enhance business operations, leverage new commercial opportunities and deliver quality visitor experiences.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind said QTIC encourages all operators to embrace and take advantage of these regional upskilling opportunities.
“There will be more than 80 Digital Ready workshops and 45 Trade Ready workshops delivered around the state in the first half of 2019,” he said.
“It’s great to see that the state government recognises that the substantial investment currently going into tourism infrastructure, needs to be matched with a focus on skills and business development expertise so operators can thrive in this fast-paced global tourism market.
“For these programs, the biggest cost to businesses is their time but the reward will be much greater – it's the chance to add that extra ‘string to the bow’ of their business and put them ahead of the pack.”
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the state government’s $3 million commitment to the Tourism Industry Business Capability Development Program would help tourism operators improve their digital skills and trade knowledge to better capture commercial opportunities.
“Our decision to partner with QTIC in this program is to help sharpen the modern tools companies need to successfully attract business,” she said.
“Our goal is to help tourism businesses become more competitive and adaptive so visitors can enjoy a consistently high standard of service and products across the state.
“Online marketing and booking systems are significant enablers for tourism operators and are just two examples of what will be included in the Digital Ready program.”
Trade Ready workshops (with costs varying between regions) have already commenced in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and the Whitsundays, while free Digital Ready workshops will start in early-2019.
Tourism Whitsundays CEO Tash Wheeler said the region had already run a Trade Ready workshop focusing on domestic opportunities.
“We’ve already had some really positive feedback with businesses saying it was good to build on their understanding of trade and better identify who would be best for their business to work with,” she said.
“It will be great to see these Trade Ready workshops help local tourism businesses increase their product offering within the domestic and international markets. And for the Digital Ready workshops to collectively enhance the digital skills and presence of the region to visitors.”
The Tourism Industry Business Capability Development Program is funded by the Department of Innovation, Tourism Industry Development and the Commonwealth Games and has been developed in consultation with QTIC, Tourism and Events Queensland and the Regional Tourism Organisations.
For more information, to register your expression of interest, or to see the current calendar of scheduled Digital Ready programs, visit
www.qtic.com.au/programs
Please contact you RTO for more information and times about Trade Ready programs.
