MARDI GRAS FAIR DAY
A beautifully hot sunny day in Sydney this year and from half an hour before the day officially opened we began to give out member brochures. We were still getting a few requests at 6 pm as we were closing up shop
This year GALTA had two stalls side by side. As there were a number of operators all from Qld we split the stall into two and had one for Qld and one for all other States and Territories. This proved highly successful and the Qld people were so inundated with requests for information that they had run out of brochures by about 2pm.
An estimated 1400 people actually took the GALTA publication, the Galta Tourism Services Directory (TSD) or asked for information over the two stalls People are now remembering our presence and actively searching out the stall to get their copy.
Most of the requests this year were more general. Not many people had specific destinations in mind, however planning holidays was big. So the response to Australia wide information was very positive. We also had a number of new groups who came to introduce themselves such as the Mercure Hotel Ulltimo who were very positive about their participation in the Galta publication.
This year we received quite a few requests for information regarding listing a business in the publication and becoming a member. The profile is obviously well established out there and was seen as quite reputable by the people asking questions. Hopefully this will translate into more members.
People were also encouraged to take the TSD when looking for international information. The link to IGLTA was seen as very valuable and positive and there were a high percentage of people seeking information for OS travel.
Tim from Galstays, (Galta member # 287) and I worked together all day. Thankyou Tim for your smiling approach and willingness to be there all day. Galta Director Jeff Aquilina was able to drop in for a while.
The GALTA Tourism Services Directory was also distributed along with the Pink Guide to Qld, and Victoria and Tasmania also had some available on their stand. So we were well represented and people often said ‘already got one’
Something to consider for people sending information is; the smaller and lighter your information is, the more likely people were to take it home. Big heavy glossies proved hard to distribute, so if members want more guarantee of their own product information being taken, they might like to consider succinct information and contact details and spend the time and money on a great web site perhaps.
As a representative of the Territory this time I heard a few good stories about people’s experience of the Territory. Still seen as a little bit scary however much less than three years ago when we started. I actively spoke to about 20 groups or individuals that were planning a trip to the NT in the next two years.
All in all a good day
Kalikamurti Suich
The Rainbow Connection,
Alice Springs.
23rd. February 2007
