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Let a friend know about Tourism Wollongong.

Welcome to February! During the busy summer period, the Tourism Wollongong team have focused on marketing Grand Pacific Drive, the development of the Southern Gateway Centre (due to open in December 2008) and activity in Conference & Events.

A couple of highlights during January saw the largest integrated campaign ever undertaken by the region, the Grand Pacific Drive campaign, which has been a huge success for the region with thousands of visitors making the most of the opportunity to traverse what we all know is one of the greatest coastal drives in the world. The other highlight being the opening of Medina Executive Apartments on 21 January.

This month, of course, is famous around the world for St Valentine’s Day and many of our members have planned special events to help locals and visitors mark the romance of the occasion and dont forget 7 February as it's the start of the Chinese New Year Celebrations.

Until next month,
Greg Binskin
General Manager

GPD campaign huge success!

Visitor numbers were boosted throughout the region during the holiday season as a result of the Grand Pacific Drive integrated marketing and promotional campaign which commenced on 6 January and runs until 9 February 2008. Covering television, print, online marketing and including a new dedicated website and a competition offering fantastic prizes, it was the largest campaign ever undertaken by the region.

We noted a huge response to the Grand Pacific Drive website, with a boost in hits during the campaign period. The new website features ‘Win an Escape Dream Day’ competition, online accommodation bookings via Wotif.Com and a Blog section where travellers can post their comments.

As part of our Federal Government grant from AusIndustry’s - Australian Tourism Development Program we have partnered with Tourism NSW and the regions tourism operators to improve our awareness and offer excellent packages to attract overnight visitors to the South Coast.

Wollongong welcomes Medina

Wollongong's thriving tourism industry has triggered a boom in hotel development, with the city welcoming its sixth international-standard hotel.

Located in Market St in the heart of Wollongong's CBD, the Medina Executive Apartments offers 71 studio and one-bedroom apartments, a gymnasium and swimming pool; and three conference rooms with theatre-style capacity for up to 110 people.

Toga Hospitality Managing Director, Allan Vidor, said the Company was thrilled to open its 22nd Medina Apartment Hotel – and first regional property in the Illawarra.

“Combine the hotels CBD location with Wollongong’s close proximity to Sydney and established reputation as the gateway to the South Coast, Medina makes a perfect base for the business or leisure traveller,” he said.

Agents becoming FAMILiar with region

Wollongong and the South Coast will host a major Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) famil this month involving a group of key inbound tour operators. This will be a great opportunity to showcase Grand Pacific Drive to the agents who play an integral part in attracting international visitors to the region.

ATEC is the peak industry body representing Australia’s $20 billion tourism export sector and has a mission to build better business relationships for its members while furthering the issues important to the tourism export sector amongst key government and business leaders.

Wollongong AIMEs at events

Lauren Mansell and Vera Cvetkoski will be representing Wollongong Conference and Events at AIME this month together with regional partners. The Asia-Pacific trade event attracting meeting and event organisers will be held at the Melbourne Convention Centre from the 19th - 20th February. The purpose of our attendance is to attract and increase Business Tourism and Sporting Events to the region.

Wollongong's presence will be on the Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau (SCVB) stand and given that we are the only regional destination exhibiting with them, gives Wollongong a high profile as a NSW Conference and Events destination.

For more information about Wollongong Conference & Events contact Lauren Mansell.

What's On

What: IMB Hawks V Brisbane Bullets
When: Friday 8 February
Where: WIN Entertainment Centre, Cnr Crown and Harbour St, Wollongong
Info: 02 4220 2800 or website

What: Race Day @ Kembla Grange Racecourse
When: Saturday 9 February
Where: Princes Highway, Kembla Grange
Info: 02 4261 7211 or website 

What: Wollongong Travel Expo 2008
When: Sunday 10 February
Where: WIN Entertainment Centre, Crown and Harbour Sts, Wollongong Info: 02 4220 2800 or website

What: Valentines Day 2008
When: Thursday 14 February 2008
Info: Tourism Wollongong website

What: Stomping of the Grapes 2008
When: 17 & 24 February 2008
Where: Crooked River Winery 11 Willowvale Rd, Gerringong
Info: 02 4234 0975 or website 

What: NSW Touch Association Country Championships 2008
When: Friday 22 – Sunday 24 February 2008
Where: Thomas Dalton Park, Pioneer Rd, Fairy Meadow
Info: 02 9558 9333

CHINESE NEW YEAR

What: 2008 Fo Guang Shan Nan Tien Temple Chinese New Year
When: 6-7 & 9-10 February 2008
Where: Nan Tien Temple, Berkeley Road, Berkeley
Info: 02 4227 0600 or website 

What: Chinese New Year 'Lion Dance Show'
When: Saturday 9 - Sunday 10 February 2008
Where: Oriental Expression Restaurant 157 Keira Street, Wollongong
Info: 02 4226 6388