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You can contact us by phone on
+61 2 42 275545
or 1800 240 737
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From the manager's desk... |
Welcome to July and the start of a new financial year, it’s hard to believe we are entering the second half of 2007. Much of last month was spent following up from of the Australian Tourism Exchange and showcasing the region as a conference destination, in Canberra.
Looking ahead, Tourism Wollongong will be working more closely with the South Coast Regional Tourism Organisation following the announcement of its merger with the Illawarra Tourism RTO. Meanwhile, we join our members in sympathising with our counterparts north of Sydney coping with the brunt of a series of unseasonal cyclonic storms on the Central Coast, in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley.
I would like to send out my best wishes to Elise Pascoe as she packed away the pots and pans for the last time on June 30.
Until next month,
Greg Binskin
General Manager
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Illawarra Tourism region stands to benefit in joining forces with South Coast Regional Tourism Organisation, as announced by Tourism Minister, Matt Brown last month, at Bellachara Boutique Hotel.
The two organisations will form a new South Coast Regional Tourism Organisation (covering the coastal strip from Wollongong to Eden), that will strive to boost tourism in the Illawarra and South Coast through its larger marketing budget, strategic focus and improved operational efficiency.
We are looking forward to working more closely with our southern counterparts.
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Launch of Illawarra Tourism Awards 2007 |
The 2007 Illawarra Tourism Awards were launched on 26 June. This is set to be another exciting year for entries, with the inclusion of additional categories. The theme will be 'Food and Wine along the Grand Pacific Drive'. For entry forms, click here or contact Melissa Davis on 02 4228 0300 or via email for more information.
Meanwhile, a number of potential new NSW Tourism Awards entrants joined experienced operators at a recent workshop to gain an insight into how to create an award-winning submission.
Organised by the Tourism Industry Council and held at the WIN Sports and Entertainment Centre, the workshop revealed a simpler nomination process this year. With fewer questions to answer, Tourism Wollongong is encouraging local operators who haven’t previously given the state awards a go, to enter.
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GPD climbs the awareness ladder |
Grand Pacific Drive has gone up a notch on the trade awareness ladder, if the response to the route at the Australian Tourism Exchange for 2007 is any indication.
The region's representatives at the event held in Brisbane from May 26-June 1 - Greg Binskin and Kate Dombkins reported a massive growth in trade awareness in comparison to the previous year, especially from UK & Europe.
With such great feedback received for Grand Pacific Drive, Tourism Wollongong looks forward to working more closely with the international tourism trade contacts made at ATE, in bringing visitors south of Sydney to the region.
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MV Signa – Whale Watching season begins |
It’s a whale watching season (and a whale OF a season!) and to help share the joy, MV Signa has extended its charter fishing and scenic cruises during the migration season.
The company is offering three whale watching trips a day on the historic vessel from Monday to Friday, each lasting two hours.
Built in 1970 by longtime Sydney Game Fishing Club Jack Patton and named after his wife Signa, the vessel is 44 feet long and cruises at a comfortable 10 knots, with a top speed of 17 knots. For more information click here.
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Why stay in Canberra for your conference when there is a fabulous beachfront destination just a couple of hours’ drive away?
That’s the question put to a gathering of professional conference organisers in Canberra when Tourism Wollongong’s Vera Cvetkoski and Rachel Lihou joined 13 regional members from Wollongong Conference and Events, to showcase the region as a conference destination early last month.
The event gave the 55 delegates the opportunity to speak with operators on the availability of conferencing infrastructure in Wollongong. Similar events have been earmarked for Sydney later in the year. Anyone interested in taking part should call Vera Cvetkoski on 02 4228 0300 or via email.
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Accreditation for Dolphin Watch |
Jervis Bay operator Dolphin Watch Cruises has been awarded Advanced Eco Tourism Accreditation Status for its dolphin and whale watching cruises, by Eco Tourism Australia.
The South Coast’s largest whale watching operator is obviously pleased with this result with Manager Matt Cross stating that company prides itself in showcasing Jervis Bay Marine Park and the wildlife within it.
“We operate under strict guidelines and always consider best practices for conservation, preservation and education” he said. “Having the accreditation certifies we have the best practices and best interests of the marine life at the centre of everything we do.”
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What: Mt Kembla Mining Heritage Festival 2007
When: Saturday July 28 – Sunday July 29
What: Mt Kembla Mining Heritage Festival Ceremony 2007
When: Tuesday July 31
Where: Mt Kembla village
Info: Click here.
What: School Holiday Workshops @ Wollongong City Gallery
Two sessions of creative activities daily with experimental drawing, fun with prints, pastel drawing, painting and more. All classes $17.50.
When: Tuesday July 3- Friday July 6
Where: Wollongong City Art Gallery Cnr Kembla and Burelli streets, Wollongong
Info: Phone 02 4228 7500 or click here.
What: Human Nature Live
A Multi Aria Award- winning group, delivering a slick, polished and sensational show.
When: Tuesday July 3.
Where: WIN Entertainment Centre Cnr Crown and Harbour streets, Wollongong
Info: Phone 02 4220 2800 or click here.
What: Australian Orchestra presents 'Hope'
Patricia Kopatchinskaja makes her debut Australian appearances with a program suited to her reputation: virtuosic, intriguing and unconventional.
When: Thursday July 5. Performance at 7.30pm.
Where: Anita's Theatre 264 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul
Info: Phone 02 8274 3888 or click here.
What: St George Dragons vs Canberra Raiders
When: Sunday July 8
Where: WIN Entertainment Centre Cnr Crown and Harbour streets Wollongong
Info: Phone 02 4220 2800 or click here.
What: The 28th Australian Waveski Surfing Titles 2007
When: Monday July 30 – Saturday August 4
Where: Various Northern Wollongong Beaches
Info: Phone 0422 007 882 or click here.
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