Following a request from the backpacker industry, ATEC established the Backpacker Tourism Advisory Panel (BTAP) - an initiative incorporating Tourism Australia's former Backpacking Tourism Advisory Group (BTAG).
BTAP's objective is to facilitate an industry platform for the development and growth of the backpacker tourism segment by elevating the policy agenda and providing a unified voice on backpacker issues at all levels of government. BTAP is a formal sub-committee of the ATEC National Board and reports to the National Board.
BTAP has five specific dynamic working groups (DWGs) covering marketing, policy, commercial, research and communication developments. Each BTAP representative is a member of at least one DWG and is responsible for driving their respective agendas.
The Panel's key goals and tasks include:
- Act as the critical link between the backpacker industry, the states and the ATEC National Board in the interpretation of segment-specific issues
- Represent the interests of the backpacker segment to the ATEC National Board, industry organisations, government and the community
- Facilitate an active and effective policy forum where key industry stakeholders present issues for development and action
- Conduct regular meetings (minimum of 4 per year) and report back to the state backpacker bodies and industry
- Make formal presentations to the ATEC National Board twice yearly to report on activities, issues and developments
- Facilitate the education of the industry in regard to volume, trends, market conditions and needs of the backpacker tourism market
- Raise the profile of backpacker tourism and provide feedback to the ATEC National Board, government, media, general public and other tourism organisations in the State and region in consultation with the ATEC national executive
- Lead the way in the on-going development of growth strategies to maximise the contribution of the backpacker market to Australia
The panel members are appointed from the ATEC membership base of operators active in the backpacker segment. BTAP members must be able to address and advise on issues related to the backpacker market and must be able to demonstrate experience and knowledge relating to this market segment.
The panel comprises representatives from the following industry sectors:
- Accommodation (two positions)
- Transport (two positions)
- Tour Operator (two positions)
- Retailer / Wholesaler (two positions)
- Media/Communications (two positions)
Representatives from Tourism Australia, the collective state tourism organisations (nominated by the DAMA group), the state and territory backpacking industry associations (nominated by the backpacking associations) and ATEC are also appointed to the panel.
Most importantly, BTAP has been formed to represent the industry and therefore ATEC invites anyone with related issues to contact one of the BTAP representatives listed below to ensure their issue is raised and their voice is heard around the BTAP table.
For further information regarding BTAP, please contact Jennifer Woodbridge, Manager - Industry Development: jennifer.woodbridge@atec.net.au
To access Tourism Australia's latest international marketing information on the backpacker segment, click here.
To stay in touch with all backpacker tourism issues and updates, subscribe to the BITE - backpacker industry trade e-news. Send your full details to thebite@atec.net.au
Note: all BTAP representatives act in a voluntary capacity and, more importantly, on a self-funded basis for the holistic betterment of the backpacker industry. Representatives are not financially assisted in any way to attend meetings and all costs including accommodation, transportation, meals etc are borne by the individual/company.
ATEC Backpacker Tourism Advisory Panel
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