Valleys First Ever Tourism Expo

IMAGINE your perfect day in the Valley maybe it would involve the beach, the river, some prawns and a visit to your favourite gallery.

Then imagine if you were a tourist and you were not sure where the best beaches are, the best places to eat or generally what the Valley has to offer.

This is the problem that the staff and students at the Grafton Campus of TAFE Tourism and Hospitality noticed and chose to try and fix by hosting the first ever Clarence Valley Tourism Expo.

"Our idea started from a thought that most people in the Valley do not realise what is in their own backyard in terms of tourism businesses and things to do," said Grafton TAFE teacher Linda Stevens.

"From there we realised that many of the businesses did not actually realise what other services were available for their guests.

"The whole idea is to get business and tourism to put together package deals."

So far about 15 businesses have said they will be attending but the staff and students are hoping for more.

"People come to the Valley and stay in a hotel but they do not know what to go and do," said one of the tourism students Bob White.

The Expo will be on at the Grafton TAFE campus on Fitzroy St on October 18 between 11-2pm and will be hosted in the Terrace restaurant.

Refreshments will be available as well as the opportunity for businesses to meet the students and see if they can find any talented new employees.

Businesses or business owners looking for more information can ring 6641 1704.