Call for businesses to work in tandem

Broome businesses were encouraged to work together rather than against each other to boost tourism, at a forum chaired by National Party leader Brendon Grylls and Kimberley candidate Michele Pucci.

Around 20 locals gathered to discuss challenges facing Broome’s tourism industry and the role government needed to play.

Ms Pucci said there was concern among smaller tourism businesses in town that greater marketing efforts needed to be made, with support from the State Government, to boost local tourism.

Uptuyu Aboriginal Adventures operators Neville Poelina and Jo Camilleri said they wanted to see a “level playing field” between local operators in terms of the support they receive for marketing.

Housing affordability, staff retention and bureaucracy were other challenges raised at the forum.

Great Escape marketing and business development manager and former Broome Visitor Centre general manager Tarsh Mahar said since stepping into her new role, she understood the importance of operators forming partnerships with other businesses.

“As an operator, I’m on the ground running and can see there are the smart people who are doing well and have forward bookings for next year – they are collaborating with like-minded people and putting their collective marketing hats together,” she said.

“I think it’s really important for like-minded businesses to collaborate and work out how they can halve the marketing spend by supporting each other through marketing campaigns, and collaborating through email and social media.”