TOURISM is the heart and soul of South West WA. We inhabit an incredible, beautiful corner of the world, rich and diverse in wildlife, landscapes, fabulous secret spots and not-so-secret but really awesome things to see and do.

However, some parts of the South West are better known than others – which means regions that get overlooked, like Bunbury-Geographe, need to work a bit harder for that tourist dollar.  89% of visitors to the South West region in the years 2015-17, averaged, are from within WA - which means that most tourism spend comes from people who may know the region, but not what to do other than the well-known icons.

So, if discretionary spend lessens in WA during a downturn, so does tourism spend in the South West. We need to do more to support local industry and keep the visitors who come here, longer, by 'paying it forward' and referring a visitor to town to a local spot to experience the hidden gems. 

Our Business Advisor Susan Lee sees a bright future for tourism in the wider Bunbury Region, but she says the region needs to do something really different to survive the current downturn.

“One of the best ways tourism industries thrive around Australia is to cross sell regional products and experience,” Susan said. “But if you don’t know what’s around the corner, how can you sell it?”

Our first Industry Walkabout, which will be held at Maker & Co on September 18, aims to get industry people thinking creatively about how they might sell one of the businesses they’re learning about.

“The simple act of actively cross promoting tourism within your region makes an enormous difference,” Susan said.

“We know that tourists love local tips about something they didn’t see in the brochure, or that their agent didn’t tell them about. Once people have booked accommodation, they often ask about things to see and do. This event focuses on things to see and do, which is what gets people staying in towns longer instead of jumping in the car and heading elsewhere.

“Bunbury-Geographe is a great place for self-drive tourism - it’s about that destination, that experience. This is an economic approach to boosting the whole industry: Let’s get more destinations on the map en route to the popular places, slow people down, and get them enjoying the great things to do in Bunbury-Geographe.”
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Our Business Advisors had a busy July! They've dived right into their new roles, and hit the road to meet locals, check out the fabulous businesses throughout the South West and Peel Regions, and run a series of free workshops. Here's some photos of a few of their adventures.

Sana said there is some real thought being put towards sustainability as part of the business model.

“This may be through recycling, being a paperless business, the use of solar panels and led lighting, packaging choices, being water-wise, turning office or kitchen waste into compost for use in community gardens, being mindful of how/when electricity is used and using eco-biodegradable towels,” she said.

“Not only do such practices benefit the business directly by saving on costs, a lighter environmental footprint is left behind and in some cases, there is a direct benefit to the community.”

The awards will be hosted by the Margaret River Chamber of Commerce, at Willow’s Function Centre, Wednesday, August 29.

Tickets sell super-fast to this prestigious regional awards night, so be sure to get in QUICK if you want a seat. Email enquiries@mrcci.com.au to find out more.

Business Advisory South West and Peel officially opened its doors on Tuesday July 3 with a launch party at their head office at the Homemaker Centre, Bunbury.

More than 50 people attended the affair, where a welcome to country was given by Noongar Elder Gloria Dann.

The event was MC’d by Doug Green of ipCreative.

Lisa Legena from the Small Business Development Corporation said that she had been happy to announce business consultancy IPS as the successful tenderer, as their innovative and creative approach to presenting business advisory services had impressed her.

IPS Director Kristal Kinsela, who travelled from Port Macquarie to attend the event, spoke to the crowd about how IPS had come from small beginnings to win the Business Advisory contract.

“This is a proud moment for us,” she said.

“Because of the challenges we’ve faced, we’re in a really great position to lead a service like this. We’ve got big goals at IPS, and soon you’ll see our signs up in other places too.”
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Kristal introduced Business Advisory’s business partners, BHR Papalia, Southern Cross Austereo, Total Network Engineering (TNE) and ipCreative, before cutting the ribbon to the Business Advisory office with help from Ms Legena. 

The event was sponsored by Capel Vale, Citygate, Lonsdale Party Hire and Amorish Catering.

Bunbury-based consultancy IPS will open the doors this week (July 2) to free business advice for businesses in the South West and Peel regions as part of the Business Local initiative. The new IPS Business Advisory service has been launched after IPS won the State Government contract through the Small Business Development Corporation to supply free business advisory services throughout the two key regional areas.
 
Business Advisory South West and Peel will offer advice across a range of key business needs, including:

• Business planning
• Using the web to grow business
• Tax and financial advice
• Employing staff and HR issues
• IT and communications
• Marketing products and services

 
Business Advisory South West and Peel will provide one-to-one advice, and host a range of workshops throughout the region. Advisors based in Bunbury, Mandurah and Busselton will be available to meet businesses through an online booking system. A range of leading specialists have already partnered with IPS to help deliver advice, including BHR Papalia, Southern Cross Austereo, IP Creative and TNE. The service is available to any small business with up to 20 employees - including home-based businesses, start-ups and existing businesses.
 
IPS Managing Director Katina Law said the contract was a great opportunity to support thousands of businesses to prosper in two of the State’s most important regional areas. “We’re very excited to have won this contract,” Ms Law said. “It’s a great opportunity for us to continue to support businesses throughout the South West and Peel. There are some fantastic initiatives throughout both regions, and we’re very fortunate to be a part of driving those forward. We understand the challenges facing regional small businesses. We’re keen to help them adapt to change, grow and succeed.”
 
IPS is based in Bunbury but has consultants and business advisors across Australia, working across all levels of government and business. IPS was recently awarded Supply Nation’s Certified Supplier of the Year, in recognition of its inspirational work in driving supplier diversity within Australia. The award continues a stellar year for the West Australian based company. Earlier this year, IPS Director Kristal Kinsela was one of 10 Indigenous leaders chosen as part of the Special Gathering to meet the Prime Minister and state and territory leaders at the first Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting of 2018.

Businesses and organisations who want to find out more about the Business Advisory South West and Peel service can head to the website at www.ipsbusinessadvisory.com.au, or call 1300 275 477.