The View_September 2018_F_Web

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
From a new luxury couple’s accommodation, to adrenaline pumping lion encounters, there are plenty
of exciting experiences in South Australia. We caught up with some SATIC members to learn more
about their products and services.
MONARTO ZOO
As one of the world’s largest openrange
zoos, Monarto Zoo allows visitors
to experience once in a lifetime animal
encounters.
In 2017 Monarto Zoo launched Lions 360.
Tourism Manager Dylan Beach says Lions
360 was inspired by the popular shark
cage diving experiences and “reverses
the traditional zoo experience by putting
visitors into the enclosure while our African
Lions are free to roam," says Dylan.
To maintain relevance in a technological
society, Monarto Zoo also launched
their app, which pushes location-specific
information to people’s devices, including
nearby facilities. To cater for the growing
Chinese visitors, the app is also available
in Mandarin.
Having recognised a noticeable shift
towards online travel agents, it has been
important for the business to develop
products and packages relevant for each
of these channels.
Internally, the business has implemented
the booking system Rezdy, which Dylan
says has enabled the Zoo to connect and
distribute their product to domestic and
international agents and suppliers.
“With increasingly more international
tourists visiting the Murray River, Lakes and
Coorong region, Monarto Zoo has been
actively working with regional operators to
offer unique packages,” Dylan says, such
as a two-course lunch and Monarto Zoo
visit package with the Hahndorf Inn.
Monarto Zoo also remains committed
to implementing their five-year
Environmental Management Plan, which
has so far included improved
waste management through
reusing and recycling,
the integration of a water
monitoring program to reduce
leakages, and the revegetation
of native plant species.
CLARE VALLEY TOURS
Having started as a sideline farm business,
Clare Valley Tours has evolved to deliver
authentic tour experiences of the region.
Owner and operator Dave Willson says,
“the business has been able to immerse
guests into the region so seamlessly
that no other operators have been able
to match due to insider knowledge and
industry relationships.”
To realign the business and reconstruct
the marketing, Dave entrusted the help of
training and consulting service Kiikstart,
enabling him to change the focus of the
business to become more proactive.
“Partnering with an expert to guide me
and take things one step at a time with a
structured program has been rewarding
and educational,” he says.
Recognising that information is rapidly
being sought online, Dave worked with
Kiikstart and Bigroar Graphic Design to
reconstruct the business’ website, ensuring
it catered to more sophisticated and
inquisitive travellers, which he considers to
be his core demographic.
Through its involvement with the South
Australian Tourism Commission’s Emerging
Product Program, Clare Valley Tours has
become a member of the Australian
Tourism Export Council, providing valuable
networking opportunities and tools to
Photo credit: South Australian Tourism Commission
generate exposure within domestic and
international markets.
As well as being flexible to change,
Dave says it is important for operators to
maintain excellent guest reviews, as these
result in “repeat business and word of
mouth referrals, which I believe is the best
advertising available.”
12 SATIC. SPRING 2018