Representatives from Kiama’s tourism industry are being sought to serve on the new Kiama Tourism Advisory Committee.
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Newly-elected chair, Kiama councillor Matt Brown, said four skills-based industry representatives were required for the committee.
“Council is seeking people with relevant experience and expertise who are also residents of the Kiama municipality,” Cr Brown said.
“Candidates need to be able to demonstrate that they are ‘connected and representative of the community’.”
Cr Brown said the industry representatives would serve on the committee with two councillors, Matt Brown and Warren Steel, and the general manager (or his representative).
Appointments to the committee are for two years. Interested parties can contact Kiama council.
Council has approved the terms of reference for the committee, which includes the following key responsibilities:
*Act in an advisory role to council.
*Provide strategic guidance on implementation of plans, programs and initiatives.
*Provide important links to the communities they represent in promoting and delivering outcomes.
*Represent the whole of industry.
The committee will elect the deputy chairperson.
The establishment of the committee follows council’s decision to establish its own in-house Tourism and Events business unit.
Kiama council is set to assume responsibility for all aspects of tourism promotion for the municipality.
These include operations currently managed by Kiama Tourism.
According to council, tourism and major events annually generates around $147 million for the local economy, employing approximately 740 people.
At their December meeting, Kiama council opted to review the structure and funding of tourism in the Kiama Local Government Area.
Council then recently resolved to establish its own Tourism and Events business unit to manage all tourism-related activities.
“Council recognises that the hybrid structure we have had in place since 2015 has not achieved the outcomes we expected,” Kiama Mayor Mark Honey said.
Under the current model, council manages strategic tourism marketing and major events while Kiama Tourism manages on-ground services such as the Kiama Visitors Centre.
More than $400,000 is expended annually on visitor information services and marketing, including about $50,000 each year generated by Kiama Tourism’s members.
Kiama Tourism is an industry-based tourism organisation established in 1986.
Council has pledged to work with Kiama Tourism to assist with the transition to the new tourism structure.
This transition period is to run until June 30.
Council has also pledged to review the performance of the new structure by June 2019.
Council will also soon advertise for a manager of Tourism and Events when the entire committee has been determined.
Meanwhile, Kiama Tourism members will soon vote on the organisation’s future following the funding cut.
A special meeting is set for May 3, when Tourism members will vote on the organisation’s future, including whether the company can continue in some form.
