Collaboration announced between Australian Regional Tourism and Australian Institute of Tourism Officers

July 5, 2024

Australian Regional Tourism (ART) and the Australian Institute of Tourism Officers (AITO) have announced a coming together aimed at enhancing support for regional tourism across the country.

After more than 30 years, AITO members voted to wind up the organisation and transition its membership base and residual funding of approximately $70,000 to ART, marking a significant step forward in bolstering resources for regional tourism professionals.

AITO, recognised for its commitment to promoting professional development and industry cohesion, views this decision as a strategic move to ensure sustained support for the regional tourism sector. By transitioning the membership base across to ART, former AITO members will be able to leverage ART’s extensive network and resources to further advance their professional development.

Explaining the merging, ART Chair Joel Chadwick stated "this initiative with AITO reinforces our dedication to strengthening regional tourism capabilities.

“The transferred funding will be instrumental in enhancing our Tourism Hub, providing greater access to resources and professional development opportunities for regional tourism stakeholders."

Echoing this sentiment, AITO President, Steven Baldwin added "this strategic move was inevitable and will support AITO’s legacy of excellence in tourism.

“Under our Memorandum & Articles (Constitution) we are required on winding up to ensure that any assets are vested in an organisation that shares the same tourism focus as AITO. We are confident that this alliance with ART will benefit our members and have a positive impact within the tourism community."

The residual funds from AITO will support an upgrade of ART’s Tourism Hub, a digital platform dedicated for connecting and empowering regional tourism professionals. This investment will enhance the platform's tech infrastructure, ensuring it remains a vital resource hub for the industry.

Chadwick went on to say “we commend AITO for their vision and foresight in recognising the importance of industry bodies collaborating to best support members.

"We are grateful to AITO for selecting ART as the beneficiary of their residual funds. The ART board is committed to upholding AITO's legacy by leveraging these funds to support the growth of regional tourism professionals across Australia."

As part of the transition, ART will extend complimentary Tier 4 Membership for the 2024/25 period to existing financial AITO members. This initiative aims to facilitate seamless access to ART’s resources, including the Tourism Hub, which serves as a central hub for knowledge sharing, professional development, and networking opportunities.

ART Convention 2024
ART has advised of that the theme of its 2024 Convention is to be ‘Regional Tourism: Inspiring Success’.

Being held at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre in North Queensland from 9th to 11th October, the Convention will include presentations, social events and, on Wednesday 9th October a welcome reception and the Agritourism Forum presented in partnership with Tourism Australia.

Click here for more information on the ART Convention in the Australasian Leisure Management industry Calendar.

Images: Wine tourism in the Barossa Valley (top) and the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre (below).

30th April 2024 - $165 million Outdoor Adventure Tourism package delivered for Western Australia

10th January 2024 - Australian Regional Tourism Convention to be staged in Mackay in October

23rd October 2023 - Leadership changes at Australian Regional Tourism

10th October 2023 - Australian Regional Tourism convention attracts more than 230 representatives to Newcastle

27th September 2023 - Regional tourism consultancy launches donation initiative

17th May 2023 - Individual award winners and 2024 host city announced at WA Regional Tourism Conference

7th May 2023 - Australian Regional Tourism calls for investment to support agritourism development

20th January 2023 - Adventure Tourism Victoria calls on Victorian Government to change conditions for ‘Working Holiday Makers’ visas

3rd January 2023 - Transformation underway on Central Coast’s Visitor Information Centre

18th October 2022 - Australian Regional Tourism Convention delivers 10 surprising take-aways

16th May 2022 - Goulburn Visitor Information Centre lights up for charitable causes

9th March 2022 - Ballarat to host Australian Regional Tourism Convention in 2022

4th March 2022 - New professional development program to help regional tourism professionals navigate post-lockdown visitor economy

25th October 2021 - Australian Regional Tourism receives funding for National Agritourism Development Program

20th September 2021 - Australian Regional Tourism critical of governments’ piecemeal response to COVID

2nd August 2021 - National body highlights more funding still needed to rebuild Australia’s regional tourism sector

15th April 2021 - New regional tourism projects approved in South Australia

1st June 2020 - Specialist support and open borders vital for survival of regional tourism

17th February 2020 - Research shows art experiences can revitalise regional tourism

21st September 2018 - Regional Tourism marketing boards unite on destination strategies

24th August 2018 - NSW sets ambitious regional tourism target

26th July 2018 - Australian Regional Tourism launches new Emerging Tourism Professional program

3rd August 2017 - Training boost for NSW Visitor Information Centre staff

20th March 2015 - Visitors reluctant to use new technology for tourism information

28th December 2014 - Online bookings challenge regional visitor information centres

6th October 2011 - Visitor information centres add value to South Australian tourism

1st September 2008 - New WA regional tourism offices open for business

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.