REPRESENTATIVES of local businesses and community groups recently met online for a workshop covering the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW).
These workshops, or webinars, are being run by Arts Upper Hunter, led by Susannah Jones, in collaboration with the Dungog Visitor Information Centre.
The ATDW is a nation-wide database for the tourism sector.
It distributes business profiles across more than 260 trusted websites.
Although it is tourism-related, other businesses can also benefit, and are encouraged to list on the ATDW database.
It is an online resource with information on what is available in areas all around Australia, including Dungog Shire.
For example, visitors can find places to stay or eat, entertainment, events or specialities of particular areas.
John O’Brien of Arts Upper Hunter told News Of The Area, “Artists and creative people don’t always realise that they are part of the tourism economy.
“People will visit an area to do something, but it’s the extra things, like a gallery open on a Sunday, a workshop, a gig or performance, that will help them decide which town to stay in.
“And I don’t think that tourist operators always realise how important local cultural vibrancy is to visitors’ experience.
“That’s why we’re running these workshops, to encourage people to ‘get listing’ and build their business.”
Local participants in the recent workshop felt that listing with the ATDW would definitely be useful for their organisation.
Dun This Dun That Dungog, Sculpture On The Farm, Dungog Arts Society, the Local Growers Stall and Dungog By Design are just some of the events and organisations benefiting from database listings.
The Dungog Visitor Information Centre is assisting in adding listings to the ATDW.
Events and not-for-profit organisations can list with the ATDW for free.
The webinars are free, but participants must register to attend.
If you missed the latest one, there are more happening across the region, including one in Singleton in October.
Visit www.artsupperhunter.com.au or contact Belinda Blanch or David Smith at the Dungog VIC for more information.
By Lisa WISEMAN
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