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Ref:523/03 |
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AUSTRALIA
- Jan 30, 2003 |
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Aquaculture Trail helping
tourism |
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Eyre Peninsula's Seafood and
Aquaculture Trail is proving to be a success for the
operators of the individual visitor sites and the region as
a whole.
Tourism EP marketing manager Shaun de Bruyn said since the
Seafood and Aquaculture Trail, which is aimed at the
self-drive tourism market, was launched in November last
year interest has been very high for it.
"It's been pretty good right across Eyre Peninsula from the
sound of things so far," he said.
The trail, which was launched across Eyre Peninsula by
Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith, includes 12 guided tours
stretching from Whyalla to Ceduna where visitors can
discover the dynamic seafood and aquaculture industry by
visiting operations and taking tours at Whyalla, Cowell,
Arno Bay, Port Lincoln, Elliston, Streaky Bay, Smoky Bay and
Ceduna.
Mr de Bruyn said people haven't necessarily been taking part
in the whole trail but have been picking bits and pieces up
as they travel around Eyre Peninsula and he said in the near
future it was likely more operators would become involved in
the trail.
"We've got strong interest to add other businesses to it and
hopefully another three or four operators will be added
soon."
Tourism EP is currently gathering information from operators
and tourists as to how successful the trail has been and
hopes to be able to paint a more accurate picture for
potential operators within the industry.
The numbers will also help Tourism EP access grant funding
for signage for the operators to further highlight the
trail.
Mr de Bruyn said the exposure for the trail has been "huge"
in Adelaide with the Minister and Department getting right
behind it and helping with its promotion.
Around 390,000 people visit Eyre Peninsula each year, with
the majority on self-drive holidays, but the potential
exists to promote the Seafood and Aquaculture Trail to the
international market as well.
"Clean Seas (the Arno Bay-based hatchery and grow out
operation) is good enough now to go straight into the
international tourism market and others aren't far behind." |
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