A new concept in tourism services was launched in February by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Cr Ivan Deveson. The ‘City Experience Centre’ and ‘Melbourne Greeter Service’ showcase Melbourne’s culture and enhance the City’s profile as the gateway to Victoria.
It is the first truly multilingual, multimedia visitor orientation and information centre in Australia. All information about Melbourne, its attractions and tours is presented in six languages, thanks to the assistance of SBS Radio, Council’s multilingual partners.
With the use of interactive touch screens, videos and access to daily ‘What’s On’ information, the Centre acts as a referral point for over 140 tours of Melbourne and is also home to the Melbourne Greeter Service.
“The ‘City Experience Centre’ provides a much needed focus and promotion of the great range of Melbourne attractions and tours,” the Lord Mayor said. “In the first year of operation, the Centre will be continually developing and expanding its services to help promote special events and cultural activities. We are already working with the organisers of Chinese New Year, the International Flower and Garden Show, the Grand Prix and the Comedy and Fringe Festivals to run special promotions within the Centre over the next few months.”
The Melbourne Greeter Service is based on New York’s highly successful ‘Big Apple Greeters’. It has the support of SBS Radio, the Age and Herald Sun, ‘Melbourne Agenda’ magazine, radio stations 3AW, 3AK and Fox FM, as well as community television Channel 31.
“Within the ‘Melbourne Greeter Service’ there are 120 people speaking 25 different languages – men and women, young and old, professionals, students, unemployed and retired Melburnians – who have volunteered their time to make visitors feel welcome and relaxed,” Cr Deveson said.
Greeters and visitors are matched according to interests and languages in common, their time together being a combination of what the Greeter has to offer and what the visitor wants to know.
For further information contact Charis Atlas telephone (03) 9658 8864.
