Innovators Amongst Us.

The strong message to tourism operators during tough times has been innovate and diversify. Take a close look at your operations and think creatively about tweaking your product, creating a whole new product or introducing a new income generating activity.

Longhorn Bikes, recent winners of the New Innovation in Tourism Award commenced operations in August 2010 through providing hire bikes to a local school group. From this starting point, the owners Justine and Clarke Petrick believed that the product could be a good fit for the tourism industry and set about becoming involved through membership with Tourism Central Australia. During this time they have also achieved ATAP accreditation and are T-QUAL assured. Their current fleet of 90 bikes boasts a variety of bikes from children’s carriers, recreation and urban bikes and disc brake mountain bikes.

Tailormade Tours have diversified their product range in a big way by adding an events venue to their traditional operations of touring and transfers. The venue, based in an old quarry at the base of the MacDonnell Ranges and located only 10kms from Alice Springs town, has provided Tailormade with an additional touring option; a Sunset Outback BBQ and a special events capacity of up to 1,500 people.

A flurry of activity across Gregory Terrace from the Alice Springs Visitor Centre has seen Alice Wanderer introduce 5 x new computer workstations complete with internet, webcams + mics (for skype) and printer access. This new product will engage visitors within Alice Wanderers booking office, increase length of stay and hopefully have a flow on effect to increased tour bookings.

A couple of our members have been delving into the world of technology with DIY Tourguide’s West MacDonnell Ranges itinerary now available as an Iphone Application. This GPS triggered, self drive audio travel guide will provide you with everything you need to know about the West Macs in your own time and at your own pace. Just search DIY Tourguide on the App Store.

Alice Springs Airport have also developed a FREE App for travellers providing up to date arrival & departure times, Airport news and up-to-the-minute data from the solar plant which reduces the Airports carbon emissions by approx 470 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. Just search Alice Springs Airport on the App Store.