GALTA AT MELBOURNE MIDSUMMA
Saturday 19th January, 2008
A group of the GALTA team represented us at the 20th Annual Melbourne Midsumma Carnival Fair Day held on a wet but warm Saturday 19th January, 2008 in the beautiful Alexandra Gardens along the banks of the Yarra River in South Yarra.
Rod & Rohan from Horizons at Peregian (Noosa), Tim from Galstays (Daylesford) and Phil (Alice Springs) spent the day distributing a load of member collateral, answering questions from would-be travellers (and on a few occasions previous guests!!!) while not being too daunted by the sultry wet weather that was around for most of the event. Certainly, the weather did not impact too much on the lively spirits of the many Melbourn-ites that turned out for the fun!!
This year’s Fair Day was held at the beginning of the Midsumma Carnival rather than at the end so the first Asia-Pacific Outgames could be accommodated from the end of January until early February. It is hoped that this first-time event in Australia will prove to be very popular and successful at many levels thus providing us all with another opportunity to promote GALTA. We have provided 1300 copies of the TSD to be placed in the registration packs so that all Outgames participants will have a ‘take home’ copy for them to plan some adventures around the country while they’re visiting Australia. Some excellent marketing opportunities here, particularly into the Asian markets.
Fair Days are a fantastic opportunity to network with other operators, see a variety of new products available, be able to ‘talk up’ our relative jurisdictions and answer questions many people have. Being a strong & visible presence is much of how GALTA operates in this milieu and people are always keen to be informed about how the gay & lesbian tourism industry is continuing to thrive.
Our next Fair Day presence will be at the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Fair Day next month (17th February following a Board Meeting on Saturday 16th ) in the park attached to Sydney University. Huge numbers are expected given that this will be the 30th annivesary (on Saturday 1st March) of this globally recognised event. Mardi Gras organisers envisage a record number of visitors to the stunningly beautiful harbour city from interstate as well as overseas. Those who travel ‘downunder’ from international destinations around this time tend to stay for between 2-3 weeks (often more) so the chances of them visiting places other than Sydney are huge. As such, there is a better chance that they will be making their way into many other areas of the country. If they have a copy of the TSD on hand, there is even more chance they’ll opt for a GALTA member product.
2008 is fast shaping up to be yet another successful year for GALTA and it’s members. With a physical presence at a number of fair days, solid distribution of the TSDs nationally and internationally, effective marketing and promotion of the GALTA branding around the planet along with continuing opportunities to network and build the organisation, the GALTA team is constantly striving to promote member products through a variety of meduims.
Phil Walcott
NT Regional Director
