Bowen’s iconic Big Mango and the Bowen Visitor Information Centre was on the national stage at the Australian Regional Tourism Convention in Newcastle in early October.
Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy was invited by Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) to present as part of a panel about Visitor Information Centres.
This session involved three case studies on how visitor information servicing was being transformed to meet the needs of the contemporary visitor.
Bowen was the only Centre from Queensland featured in this session and selected due to the significant increase in merchandise and local products on offer, as well as the success of the Big Mango’s 21st birthday earlier this year.
That campaign reached more than four million people.
Leanne was asked to show how the team had identified a contemporary market, targeted it successfully and provided an income for the Local Tourism Organisation.
Jenn Honnery, Chairperson of Bowen Tourism and Business said she is very proud of the team we have at the Bowen Visitor Information Centre and the effort they have put into growing the service.
“The reach achieved for the Big Mango’s 21st certainly put Bowen on the national stage and highlighted both the community’s love for our favourite big thing and Bowen’s beauty for potential visitors.
“Coupled with the excellent service and range of merchandise now available at the Information Centre, we know that the visitor’s journey to Bowen and time spent here will be meaningful and fun.”
Leanne Abernethy of Bowen Tourism and Business, Cait Fleming of Tourism Whitsundays, and Al Grundy, of Mackay Isaac Tourism. Photo supplied
