After years of lobbying council for a tourist information office at the top end of Katoomba, the locals have taken matters into their own hands and will set up at the old Trolley Bus shop opposite the railway station.
Businesses and residents have long agitated for a tourist centre in the area, arguing that people need information when they get off the train, rather than two kilometres away at the Echo Point visitors information centre.
So the Blue Mountains Accommodation & Tourism Association (BMATA), backed by six local businesses, has taken over the lease on the shop, perfectly located at the pedestrian crossing near the station.
BMATA president, Jason Cronshaw, said the centre should be open by late July.
It will house BMATA’s executive officer, Michael Sperling, who will be assisted by volunteers from the International Hotel School and other members of the community.
BMATA has also taken over publication of Blue Mountains Tourist, which had been previously produced by Scenic World.
“We needed to house BMATA somewhere,” Mr Cronshaw said. The hope is that as well as helping tourists, Mr Sperling can also work on the publication and on BMATA’s social media.
He said the organisation had been in discussions with council “so we will hopefully work together”.
The tourist information centre has been made possible because of financial backing from six companies, Mr Cronshaw said.
They are the Carrington Hotel, Scenic World, Escarpment Group, Fantastic Aussie Tours, Josophan’s Chocolates and the Equeva group which owns the Metropole Guesthouse and several motels in Katoomba and is the biggest 3.5-star accommodation provider in the Mountains.
BMATA launched its new way forward in a function at the Fairmont recently. It is offering a range of membership packages with a range of benefits, including free listings on various websites, publicity support, free placement of brochures in visitor information centres, special advertising rates and networking opportunities.
For more information, see www.bmata.com.au.
