April 3, 2019 - ‘Local Champions’ signing up to welcome the world

Caption 1: Local Champions - Nancy Lowe from Mission Beach Water Taxi and Mission Beach Dive, Lisa Dostine from the Big Four Beachcomber Coconut Holiday Park and Cassawong Cottages, Mission Beach Tourism manager and owner of Driftwood B&B Evelyn Swarbrick, Stephen Ramsey from Sealords and Al Thomas from Wildside Adventures and Echo Creek Adventure Centre.

Caption 2: Paul Parrant, general manager of Mission Beach Resort, has signed up as a Local Champion.

Local Champions are signing up across the Cassowary Coast to welcome the 2019 World Rafting Championship athletes, support teams and event spectators when they arrive for the May 13-20 event.

The Local Champion program aims to encourage all businesses and associations throughout the region to engage with visitors and ensure they have the friendliest and best holiday experience possible in our special part of the world.

Cassowary Coast Regional Council Tourism Coordinator Richard Blanchette said to become a Local Champion, businesses and organisations committed to presenting visitors with the best of service, to display and share information about the event and impart local knowledge of our special places and local tourism attractions and experiences.

“Customer service is key to everyone’s travel experience and when an experience is positive, so too is the online and word-of-mouth review. Recommendations for visiting the Cassowary Coast will continue long after the event has moved on,” Richard said.

“Participants will receive online exposure, a WRC2019 Local Champion certificate and a unique window poster, which will alert visitors that they can expect a warm Cassowary Coast welcome on these premises.”

Cr Ben Heath said the World Rafting Championships provided an excellent opportunity for local businesspeople and residents to show the world just how great the Cassowary Coast is and how friendly the locals are.

“The championships will bring a huge number of people into our region and this is our opportunity to help boost our tourism industry and attract repeat visitors and new visitors via the great experience stories those coming here in May will tell when they return home,” Cr Health said.

Local businesses and associations wishing to become an official WRC 2019 Local Champion can join the team by signing up and making a commitment to be a Local Champion.  Register at your local Visitor Information Centre or contact Richard Blanchette, Tourism Coordinator Cassowary Coast Regional Council E: [email protected]

ENDS