A message to all tourism-related businesses from Destination Southern Tasmania
The tourism industry in Tasmania has a new industry-led Regional Tourism Organisation-- Destination Southern Tasmania.
Destination Southern Tasmania has been established to provide leadership for the tourism industry in Southern Tasmania through providing a consolidated voice on key issues impacting the region, on tactical marketing and industry development.
The chairman of Destination Southern Tasmania Vincent Barron also announced the appointment of Hobart based tourism executive, Ben Targett, as the first Chief Executive Officer.
"Ben has experience in sales, marketing, branding, product development and managerial roles and we are particularly pleased that he has accepted the challenge of establishing this new body with the potential to bring significant economic and employment benefits to Southern Tasmania." He will commence his role on 17th May.
Mr Barron said the establishment of Destination Southern Tasmania was achieved after extensive consultation with tourism businesses and all Councils in the southern region.
Destination Southern Tasmania will have membership drawn from industry-related businesses and from southern Councils and will be supported by Tourism Tasmania through its industry support unit.
It will also encourage partnership agreements with industry and Councils for tactical marketing, promotional projects and for industry development throughout the region.
"Destination Southern Tasmania will plan and deliver programs that market and develop the region, and will coordinate planning sessions with Local Tourism Associations and Councils to set and monitor annual strategic priorities.
"A key measure of success will be the dispersal of visitors throughout the region and encouraging the development of experiences that extend the time visitors spend in our regions."
Ben Targett previously spent 14 years at Hobart’s Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel, working in a variety of roles. During his time, The Old Woolstore grew to become one of Tasmania’s iconic tourism and hospitality businesses, winning over 25 state and national awards.
"I look forward to the challenge of leading the establishment of an industry-led, regional tourism organisation for Southern Tasmania that will provide strategic direction to our marketing, industry development and advocacy activities," Mr Targett said.
"It is vital that we are able to work together across our region to maximise the many benefits a vibrant tourism industry brings"
"The process of engagement with industry, local Government and Tourism Tasmania has clearly identified that strengthening the awareness and appeal of the region, and sensitively adding to the range and quality of products and experiences available in our region are essential requirements of Destination Southern Tasmania."
"It is important that we find a way to unlock the potential of Hobart in order to help grow visitation to the city and beyond, whilst also appreciating the great appeal of the attractions and activities across the Southern region."
BEN TARGETT's BIO:
- Bachelor of Business, University of Tasmania, majoring in Marketing and International Business
- Worked as an advertising sales consultant for Southern Cross Television (Launceston), before moving to Hobart during aggregation (1994)
- Played professional cricket as a fast bowler with the Tasmanian Tigers (16 Sheffield Shield matches; 5 one-day games)
- 14 years at the Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel in a variety of roles.
For more information, contact: Vin Barron on 0418 145 859 or Ben Targett on 0410 575 457
Emails: vinbarron@bigpond.com and ben.dst@internode.on.net
Destination Southern Tasmania (DST) is the newly formed regional tourism organisation for the southern Tasmanian region. DST will actively pursue advocacy and industry development activities as well as plan and deliver tactical marketing campaigns with the objective of increasing visitor numbers, yield and dispersal to the benefit of tourism operators across the region. All enquiries about the role of DST and opportunities to become involved should be directed to the CEO, Ben Targett.
Mobile: 0410 575 457
Email: ben.dst@internode.on.net