Visitor Information Outlet volunteers from throughout Yorke Peninsula attended a training and networking event at Minlagawi-Gum Flat, Minlaton, on Thursday, 23 May.

More than 20 people learned about the latest tourism experiences available locally during the session, hosted by Nharangga Aboriginal Cultural Tours in partnership with Yorke Peninsula Council and Yorke Peninsula Tourism.

Speakers discussed the importance of tourism to the peninsula, and the valuable role played by VIO representatives in providing local information to visitors.

“VIO volunteers are at the forefront of our visitor economy, which is worth $380 million to Yorke Peninsula and growing by eight to 10 per cent every year,” YP Tourism Regional Tourism Manager Jess Greatwich said.

A focus of the day was the growing range of bookable tourism experiences throughout the region, which range from sailing on a Sydney-to-Hobart winning yacht to kids’ farm tours and much more.

Bennett Joy and Keira Lundgren spoke about their new business Lost Tide Spirits, soon opening in Stansbury, and Lianne Cook from Ballara Retreat discussed the many experiences offered from Ballara in Warooka.

Nharangga Aboriginal Cultural Tours a provided morning tea of modern recipes using traditional ingredients such as kangaroo canapes, pepperberry smoked cheese, wattleseed biscuits and quandong cheesecake.

Owner/operator Shane Warrior then discussed Narungga history and the various tourism initiatives his business offers, including yarning circles, wadna (boomerang) throwing, and tours with bush foods lunches.

Business manager Cathy Glazbrook, who led the event as emcee, said tourists who visit VIOs want to feel welcome, speak with knowledgeable staff, receive unbiased information and local secrets they can’t find online.

“Everybody in your community is an advocate for your town,” she said.

“Tourism is everybody’s business.”

Yorke Peninsula Council oversees VIOs in Coobowie, Corny Point, Edithburgh, Maitland, Minlaton, Port Victoria, Port Vincent, Stansbury, Warooka and Yorketown, and also supports the Visitor Information Centres at Ardrossan and Innes National Park.

Guest speakers at the VIO Training Day Cathy Glazbrook and Shane Warrior from Nharangga Aboriginal Cultural Tours, Keira Lundgren and Bennett Joy from Lost Tide Spirit Company, Steph Ball from Ballara and Yorke Peninsula Tourism Regional Tourism Manager Jess Greatwich.