Whyalla Tourism Focus Group is the formation of a group of Hoteliers and Moteliers interested in hospitality and jobs in Whyalla and are concerned with keeping job prosperity within the town.
The hospitality industry jointly employs more than 500 individuals in Whyalla with a flow-on effect to a range of local businesses. Accommodation venues in Whyalla provide in excess of 600 rooms to be filled each night.
The Whyalla Tourism Focus Group’s vision is to maintain and increase employment for those in the tourism industry. To this end they are aware of a local organisation who has started negotiations to bring a glass bottom boat to Whyalla. This vessel will operate over both summer and winter months providing marine tours for newly formed company ‘Whyalla Marine Adventures’. This type of project will complement accommodation providers in Whyalla and provide new employment opportunities.
Meetings are held monthly with the inaugural meeting held in February 2017. As a result of that meeting, a deputation was made to Whyalla City Council to reinstate an Events Coordinator to bring events, conferences, carnivals and various motoring organisations to Whyalla to encourage longer stays. Hoteliers and operators in attendance agree that they do not have the resources to further the tourism focus of Whyalla and will support action to attain these resources.
Whyalla City Council has since released its Annual Business Plan and Budget 2017-2018 with provision for an Events Officer. The Whyalla Tourism Focus Group is thrilled with this news and looks froward to collaborating and driving a shared vision.
Launch of the Whyalla Tourism Focus Group is planned for late June with the Hon. Leon Bignell MP, Minister for Tourism to open the event.
Membership
Accommodation houses – $100
Individual – $50
For further information or if you would like to be involved please contact:
Barbara Derham on 0417 350 420 or Jeff Hardyman on 8645 933.