Tourism businesses in Fremantle are primed and ready for when WA's hard border comes down this weekend after participating in a mentoring program offered by the City of Fremantle.
The City has partnered with Tourism Council WA to provide Fremantle tourism businesses access to the Destination Boost program, which develops selected businesses to become customer and trade ready.
The program is part of the delivery of the City's community recovery plan and efforts to support local businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the past two months participating tourism operators have taken part in a series of workshops designed to help them grow and develop their businesses.
WA's hard border will move to a 'controlled border' arrangement from November 14, which will permit residents from states and territories deemed very low risk to enter without undertaking quarantine.
Richard Ballinger from Fremantle Tourist Wheel said the Destination Boost program had him looking forward to welcoming more visitors to Fremantle.
"Destination Boost has been great in helping small businesses work on their business instead of just in it. It has brought to light the significance of working on your business and it's provided the tools to achieve success," Mr Ballinger said.
"It's important to be proactive as it's very easy to get caught up in the day-to-day business rather being more strategic.
"The program has educated, excited and motivated me again."
The Destination Boost program included a Tourism Fundamentals Workshop, which offered advice on the importance of commissionable products and an operator's role in encouraging customers to stay longer and spend more, and a Tourism Marketing Strategy Workshop which explained the value of the This Is Fremantle brand, and how to engage with and leverage it.
Other topics included customer service and sales, including how businesses can work together as a destination to refer opportunities to each other, and how to reach customers through online distribution.
