Visitor Information Centres

Visitor information centres (VICs) play an important role in Queensland's tourism industry. Centres make a significant economic contribution to tourism, particularly in regional areas, by providing information to visitors that encourages them to stay longer, spend more money, experience more attractions and revisit a region. Visitor information centres also create significant social benefits, as many rely heavily on a volunteer workforce and operate as an important community facility.

In recent years there has been increased recognition of the role of visitor information centres and their importance in providing high quality tourist information.

Find what you're looking for: Queensland VIC Signage Policy Queensland VIC Location & Hours Queensland VIC News Eligibility, Criteria & Application Information 'i' sign Style Guide Promotion of the VIC Network Additional Resources for VIC Managers Want to know more?

Queensland Visitor Information Centre Signage Policy

To raise the standard of information provision and acknowledge genuine visitor information providers, accreditation programs or policies have been developed across Australia and a yellow on blue italicised 'i' symbol has been trademarked to distinguish visitor information providers who achieve these standards.

After extensive consultation with industry and government, Tourism and Events Queensland has developed the Queensland Visitor Information Centre Signage policy. The policy was officially launched on the 18th of April 2000. Only those visitor information centres that meet the eligibility criteria and standards of the policy are authorised to use the italicised 'i' symbol. The branding assures visitors of high quality information and professional standards from these centres.

To ensure that the policy continues to provide a high standard and is keeping up with visitor needs, the policy criteria were reviewed in 2008. The review and update was undertaken collaboratively with the support of the Queensland Information Centres Association (QICA).

Queensland Visitor Information Centre Locations

View a list of accredited Queensland Visitor Information Centres and the  Visitor Information Centres Map  showing their locations.

Queensland Visitor Information Centre News

The Policy, eligibility, criteria and application form

The Queensland Visitor Information Centre Signage policy outlines the conditions and requirements necessary to achieve use of the 'i' symbol. Download the Queensland VIC Signage Policy and Download the VIC - 'i' sign Style Guide

Regional tourism organisation and local government authority operated or funded (partly or fully) visitor information centres are eligible to apply for the use of the 'i' symbol under the Queensland Visitor Information Centre Signage policy. Centres that do not currently meet this eligibility please refer to the Queensland VIC Signage policy document.

This ensures that only those centres whose primary purpose of business is information provision, and who are genuine providers of objective visitor information, are acknowledged by the new symbol. In addition, eligible centres must satisfy minimum operational standards should they wish to apply for use of the symbol. The standards include specific criteria in the areas of:

• business and management
• business hours
• centre facilities
• staff and training
• networking
• information and displays; and
• signage and identification.

Download the VIC Signage Policy Application Form

Want to know more?

For further information on this initiative contact the VIC Secretariat:

Visit Queensland
Melanie Sands - Administration Assistant 
Phone: 0459 992 030
Email: info@visitqueensland.com.au

Policy Resources

Tourism and Events Queensland has produced a Resource Kit that provides visitor information centres with information to assist them to achieve, maintain, and where possible exceed, the policy standards.

The Resource Kit contains valuable information to assist in establishing, operating and successfully running a visitor information centre in line with the policy standards. The Kit is detailed into nine sections including:

Download the VIC Signage Policy Resource Kit

A Skills Audit of the Queensland VIC network of accredited centres was undertaken by Tourism and Events Queensland in August 2005. The Report highlights areas where skills development is recommended across the network. Download the VIC Sector Skills Audit .

Download the Policy Implementation & Management Process.doc .

VIC Case Studies

Eleven case studies of Accredited Visitor Information Centres have been developed to profile the valuable contribution that VICs make to the tourism industry and local communities. Focussed on economic benefits, crisis management and the uses of digital technologies, these case studies are a great resource for VIC managers, volunteers, industry and local government partners. To read these insightful case studies, please click here.

Promotion of the VIC Networks

Accredited Visitor Information Centres are promoted to consumers through a variety of publications and websites that are operated by bodies such as Regional Tourism Organisations, Local Government, Local Tourism Organisations, government departments such as Main Roads, RACQ and Tourism and Events Queensland.

Tourism and Events Queensland undertakes dedicated activity to promote accredited Visitor Information Centres. TEQ has produced an overview on the activity undertaken in 2011/12. This overview includes results on the 2012 VIC Winter Marketing Campaign.