Visitor Information Centres

Visitor information centres play an important role in Queensland's tourism industry. Centres make a significant economic contribution to tourism, particularly in regional areas, by providing information to visitors that encourages them to stay longer, spend more money, experience more attractions and revisit a region. Visitor information centres also create significant social benefits, as many rely heavily on a volunteer workforce and operate as an important community facility.

In recent years there has been increased recognition of the role of visitor information centres and their importance in providing high quality tourist information.

Queensland Visitor Information Centre Signage Policy

To raise the standard of information provision and acknowledge genuine visitor information providers, accreditation programs or policies have been developed across Australia and a yellow on blue italicised 'i' symbol has been trademarked to distinguish visitor information providers who achieve these standards.

After extensive consultation with industry and government, Tourism Queensland has developed the Queensland Visitor Information Centre Signage Policy. The Policy was officially launched on April 18 2000. Only those visitor information centres that meet the eligibility criteria and standards of the Policy are authorised to use the italicised 'i' symbol. The branding assures visitors of high quality information and professional standards from these centres.

To ensure the Policy continues to provide a high standard and in keeping with visitor needs, the Policy criteria was reviewed in 2008. The review and update was undertaken collaboratively with the support of the Queensland Information Centres Association (QICA).

Queensland visitor information centre locations

View a list of accredited Queensland Visitor Information Centres and the VIC Map showing their locations.

Queensland visitor information centre news

The Policy, eligibility and criteria

The Queensland Visitor Information Centre Signage Policy outlines the conditions and requirements necessary to achieve use of the 'i' symbol.

Download the QLD VIC Signage Policy

Regional tourism organisation and local government authority operated or funded (partly or fully) visitor information centres (VICs) are eligible to apply for use of the 'i' symbol under the Queensland Visitor Information Centre Signage Policy. Centres that do not currently meet this eligibility please refer to the Queensland VIC Signage Policy document.

This ensures that only those centres whose primary purpose of business is information provision, and who are genuine providers of objective visitor information, are acknowledged by the new symbol. In addition, eligible centres must satisfy minimum operational standards should they wish to apply for use of the symbol. The standards include specific criteria in the areas of:

• business and management
• business hours
• centre facilities
• staff and training
• networking
• information and displays; and
• signage and identification.
  

Download the VIC Signage Policy Application Form

Policy resources

Tourism Queensland has produced a Resource Kit that provides visitor information centres with information to assist them to achieve, maintain, and where possible exceed, the policy standards.

The Resource Kit contains valuable information to assist in establishing, operating and successfully running a visitor information centre in line with the policy standards. The Kit is detailed into nine sections including:

• Business Plan Guidelines
• Operational Plan Guidelines
• Collecting Visitor Data
• Staff Induction, Training and Professional Development
• Customer Service
• Regulatory Compliance
• Workplace Health and Safety
• Insurance
• Funding Assistance and Information Sources
  

The Resource Kit has recently been updated. Download the VIC Signage Policy Resource Kit

A number of additional factsheets have been developed:

• Fact sheet: Value of VIC symbol
• Fact sheet: Skills Audit
• Fact sheet: Submission Writing
• Fact sheet: Traineeships & Apprenticeships

A Skills Audit of the Queensland VIC network of accredited centres was undertaken by Tourism Queensland. The Report highlights areas where skills development is recommended across the network. Download the VIC Sector Skills Audit .

Promotion of the new branding

Accreditation centres that are authorised to display the symbol are promoted through various promotional and information sources, such as regional tourism organisation publications, Government agency publications such as Department of Main Roads, RACQ publications, Tourism Queensland destination marketing publications, Tourism Queensland websites, regional tourism organisation, local government association and local tourism organisation websites, and regional media releases.

Policy implementation and management process

Download the Policy Implementation & Management Process.doc .

Want to know more?

For further information on this initiative contact the VIC Secretariat: