Engaging with Esperance Visitor Centre

For nearly six decades, the Esperance Visitor Centre has been a central figure in our town’s tourism industry. A lot has changed in Esperance since the first centre opened its doors in 1967, evolving from a sleepy seaside getaway to an international bucket list destination. Despite the many changes, one thing has remained the same – the Visitor Centre is staffed by knowledgeable and friendly people, passionate about the place they call home and ready and willing to assist travellers and locals alike in any way they can.

Currently located within the Museum Village, Esperance Visitor Centre welcomes more than 100,000 people through its doors every year. Over Esperance’s peak tourism season, the centre will assist in excess of 500 people per day. “It’s a figure that blows people’s minds,” says Trevor Ayers, Manager of Economic Development at the Shire of Esperance. “Even over winter, when we consider it to be pretty quiet, we’re still averaging more than 20 people an hour.”

Stephanie Carpenter has been working at Esperance Visitor Centre for 16 years and moved into the coordinator role 18 months ago. According to Stephanie, most traveller enquiries relate to the beaches and national parks, accommodation, and things to see and do in and around town. However, she says the centre receives a higher number of questions than one would expect about nontourism related businesses and matters. “We get a lot of random enquiries, like where to buy tyres, where to get a phone fixed, or where to find a hairdresser,” Stephanie says. “You never know who is going to walk through the door. Because of this, we encourage all local businesses to engage with the Visitor Centre, whether they’re directly related to the tourism industry or not.”

While Esperance Visitor Centre staff work hard at keeping their finger on the pulse, Trevor says it's important local businesses and community groups reach out to the centre to ensure nothing is missed. “Even if you don’t see your business as being tourism-based, let the Visitor Centre know when something changes so they can provide the most up-to-date information to travellers,” Trevor says. “If you’re a new business, let the Visitor Centre know you’ve opened. If you’re holding a community event, let the Visitor Centre know. Keep in touch.”

Local businesses are also encouraged to use Esperance Visitor Centre as a stockist, as a way of driving potential customers to their shopfront, if they have one. Mermaid Leather, for example, stocks a small range of fish leather products at the Visitor Centre. The products act as a conversation starter about Mermaid Leather and are a more interactive and engaging way of promoting the business than with a brochure. Local artists and producers without a shopfront are also welcome to utilise the Visitor

More Than Meets The Eye

Centre, like EcoValley Honey, who sell their honey through the centre. The ever-expanding range of local products on the shelves of the Visitor Centre are more than just souvenirs for travellers to take home – they’re a marketing tool for small businesses, too.

Tourism operators can also take full advantage of the Visitor Centre team’s extensive industry knowledge, by seeking assistance to better understand booking systems and processes, and streamline their businesses. Stephanie says this applies to operators of all sizes, including holiday houses. “We encourage more Airbnbs to make use of our booking system if they want to receive more bookings, but even if they’re not going to, they should still come down to see us and introduce themselves,” she says. “We don’t just send business to those who are on our booking system. The more we know who and what’s out there, the more we can help visitors to town.”

In addition to providing travellers with information about Esperance and surrounds, Esperance Visitor Centre is also a great resource for locals. The centre sells TransWA coach and train tickets and National Park passes, and you can even pick up your Civic Centre tickets. Plus, find dining guides with up-to-date opening hours, info on health practitioners, and more. Through winter, the centre is open Monday to Friday 9am to 4:30pm, Saturdays 9am to 2pm, and Sundays 9am to 12pm. For further information head to www.visitesperance.com or phone 9083 1555 to see how the friendly team can help you.