The tourism body for South Australia’s Flinders Ranges and Outback, Flinders Ranges and Outback SA Tourism (FROSAT), is happy to be welcoming visitors back to the region and, to promote responsible visitor messages, has created a campaign employing Aussie humour to help get the message across – in a friendly way!
The cheeky online campaign is based on how we all expect visitors to behave when they visit our homes – an unofficial code of conduct – The Aussie Travel Code. The concept and brand was developed by regional tourism agency WOOF Media, in collaboration with representatives from the FROSAT Board.
Some of its responsible messages include staying on tracks, not leaving any rubbish or waste, and getting approval to travel on people’s properties. Reinforcing travel messages about safety and planning before you head to the Outback, when you see the Aussie Travel Code logo, it means:
- You’re travelling in, or planning a trip to a bloody great place
- You’re in for an unreal experience in an incredible part of Australia
- Welcome!
The project has been funded by the Outback Communities Authority and supported by tourism operators,
the South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board, and Regional Development Australia Far North. Jo Fort,
co-owner of the Innamincka Hotel and chair of the FROSAT Board, said the need for a campaign like this is
long overdue.
“We’ve been hearing from tourism operators, pastoralists and Outback communities that visitors need a clearer
expectation of acceptable behaviours when they travel to the Outback, and to have a stronger understanding that
it is someone’s backyard – no matter how big it might be.
“The Outback is vast – we have some of the most diverse and fragile ecosystems in the world which people may
not realise that once it’s been driven over it may never recover. We’ve also got significant cultural sites and we
aim to raise awareness of how to treat these areas.”
Ms Fort said while the idea of minimising traveller impacts on the environment is an international issue and
one that is complex and difficult to tackle, the FROSAT Board believes the Aussie Travel Code is a grassroots
campaign that has the opportunity to really gain traction.
“We are seeking the support of tourism operators, businesses, government agencies and pastoralists to support
this campaign which can be adapted to different regions to promote the messaging. With additional funding
and in-kind support, we could really make a difference in this space and promote the amazing region we welcome
visitors to at the same time.”
Find out more about The Aussie Travel Code HERE.
