Great Ocean Road - Tourism Australia

Retail, food and beverageWhile food and local produce will not be the prime reasonsExperience Seekers visit your Landscape, it is an integral part of‘word-of-mouth worthiness’. Be as passionate as you can withyour menu; create tastes exclusive to your Landscape withseasonal dishes and lots of local produce. Why not invitethem to participate in a cooking class featuring the catch ofthe day or other local produce? Your guests will feel a senseof experiencing nature’s drama when they get a chance to dosomething themselves.Share the insights of local dramatic experiences that you enjoy– whether it is a spellbinding spot for sunset views or the talesof tragedy and survival linked to the ancient shipwrecks foundalong the coastline. Visitors are looking to share the locals’experiences.Consider stocking, or becoming an outlet for, locally madeproducts, wines and crafts. Another idea is to hang some localphotography or imagery on your walls to share with the visitor.You could also make arrangements to display local artists’work for sale.Point visitors to local suppliers, a business down the road orin the next town. If you know the owner of the business, tellyour visitors to ‘mention my name and they’ll look after you.’This is also a great way to build business networks acrossthe Landscape. Why not see how many visitors you can eachrefer to the other? The Experience Seeker is looking for localproduce and local knowledge.thing about...’. Local art competition prizes could be awardedto the artwork or photograph that best reflects the essence ofturning the corner.To build community understanding of the region’s uniqueposition, you can also reflect the messages in yourcommunications – such as local newsletters, media releases orother regular communication materials.Planning and infrastructure developmentThe Landscape Positioning concept of nature’s dramaunfolds at every turn can also be applied when planninginfrastructure. In assessing development applications,designing visitor infrastructure, or even considering theplacement of signage, ask yourself questions like:> > How does this development complement the Landscapevalues – freedom, exploration, passion or respect for thepower of nature?> > Does this infrastructure provide the visitor withunhindered views that let them appreciate the power ofthe environment?> > How does the development encourage visitors toexperience the drama in the environment for themselvesor help the landscape to unfold?> > How do the colours and materials used complement theexploration of the environment?Local councils and government agenciesThink about all the ways these agencies communicate withlocals and visitors, both directly and indirectly. Considersignage, community services and public infrastructure. All canportray the concepts of nature’s drama unfolds at every turn.Why not use your positioning to set the theme for communitydevelopment initiatives or school competitions. A creativewriting competition could be themed ‘The most dramaticGreat Ocean Road 18