Obslife, May 2011

THE owner of 33 South Backpackers and The Loft Backpackers in Trill Road, Kim Whitaker, has taken on the business-development portfolio of the OBSID.

The portfolio, which will increase in importance as the OBSID gets the crime-and-grime situation under control, aims to support the development of Observatory's business community in line with the character of the village.

Kim believes the business-development portfolio has two broad goals.

The first is to increase clientele for local businesses by putting Observatory on the map, and the second is to get Obs businesses to agree to an ethical standard of doing business that will enhance Observatory's status as a high-quality destination.

She has already  implemented some of those ideas through the Observatory Accommodation Providers Association which she started for Obs backpackers and guest houses.

The association does joint marketing and its members subscribe to a code of good practice.

Kim, who studied marketing before she started 33 South three years ago, says one of the first things she wants to do in her committee is to define the character of Obs that can be marketed outside and around which businesses can be developed.

That process can lead to practical projects such as developing street maps of Obs that highlight and market businesses. She also sees her committee branching out in subcommittees that can promote different business sectors.

The OBSID has recently set up an online survey where businesses can fill in their details. The online address is www.surveymonkey.com/s/MRWRCX3
Contact Kim on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.