Hotel Ibis Wollongong – opens 2 November!

Hotel Ibis Wollongong will open on the 2nd November in the heart of the city. Bounded by Market and Church Street and adjacent to the landmark St Michael’s Anglican Church, the hotel is a short walk to Wollongong’s major business and government offices, the retail and restaurant precinct, the entertainment centre and the beach.

The hotel offers 150 rooms, 24 hour food service, bar and underground parking.

The opening of the hotel will contribute significantly to the city’s tourism infrastructure as well as providing long term hospitality jobs for local residents.

For more information visit the Accor website or phone Hotel Ibis Wollongong 02 4223 6000.

`Gong ride’ returns to coastal route

An estimated 10,000 cyclists are expected to be part of the first Sydney to the Gong MS Bike Ride to follow the newly reopened coastal route on Sunday November 5. 

The 90km, one-day ride will take in the picturesque cliffs and ocean views and MS Society spokesperson Corrina Frankham said she was expecting around 10,000 cyclists to take part. The event has already attracted more than 8000 entries.

“There is such a buzz because it’s a stunning route and everyone is talking about riding across Sea Cliff Bridge for the first time – it’s a huge drawcard,” she said.

Tourism Wollongong will have a stand at the finish line to provide information to the cyclists about the city and Grand Pacific Drive. If you are a member and would like to be a part of the stand this Sunday, please contact Greg Soster on 02 4228 0300 or via email.
For more information go to www.gongride.org.au or www.tourismwollongong.com.

Western visitors lured via M7 campaign

Tourism Wollongong has joined forces with the Westlink M7 to encourage Western Sydney residents to explore Wollongong’s coastline this summer. 

Westlink M7 General Manager Flan Cleary said he planned to distribute more than 100,000 leaflets around Western Sydney to encourage residents to visit Wollongong’s magnificent beaches over the summer months. “The new Westlink M7 means that access to these beaches is faster and easier than ever before,” he said. 

“Once people are on the Westlink M7 they are only eight traffic lights away from the famous Sea Cliff Bridge and Wollongong’s beaches, whereas those motorists heading to Bondi can expect to face 38 sets of traffic lights. Wollongong’s beaches also offer plenty of free parking, while an afternoon’s parking at Bondi would run out at $20 if a carpark slot can be found at all.” 

For more information visit www.grandpacificdrive.com.au or www.tourismwollongong.com.   

Singaporeans traverse Grand Pacific Drive

Singaporean travel company ‘Dynasty’ introduced 200 of its travellers visiting Australia to Grand Pacific Drive and the Wollongong region late last month following a drive by Illawarra Tourism to convince the agency to incorporate the region on its itinerary for the visitors. The group enjoyed the Grand Pacific Drive and lunch at Five Islands Brewery before continuing onto Canberra.

We have also played host to other famils last month with 16 Virgin Atlantic agents staying overnight and a journalist from the UK Times also spending a day. This month is busy also with 2 overseas film crews and agents from Emirates in New Zealand visiting the region.

AGM this month

Tourism Wollongong will hold its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday November 21 and all members are encouraged to attend. The meeting will be held in the Vue Function Room at Wollongong Golf Club from 5.30pm. Interested members should RSVP to Melissa Davis on 02 4228 0300 or via email.

Nominations for election to the board close on November 1 at 5pm. To get your nomination form, email Melissa Davis.

Destination receives more exposure in China and Taiwan

General Manager Greg Binskin once again represented the Illawarra region at Tourism Australia’s annual Taiwan and China Mission earlier this month.

The Taiwan Travel Mission held in Taipei, gives the Illawarra an opportunity to re-enage with this market and encourage the Taiwan industry to promote our region.

Following this, the Australian Travel Mission to China is being held in the city of Dong Guan in Guangdong Province from October 29 to November 1, the mission provides us with the opportunity to build awareness of our tourism products and services among the Chinese travel trade and media. The Chinese market has been lucrative for the Illawarra to date and further targeting of this market is set to increase this positive trend.

Members famil

Tourism Wollongong members interested in checking out the new developments in tourism in the region in the past 12-18 months were invited to attend an industry famil late last month. 

Members were able to check out the latest and greatest, with the famil also being great opportunity to come together and network throughout the day.

Welcome to new members!

Tourism Wollongong would like to welcome our newest members. We look forward to working with you in the future in promoting Wollongong and the Illawarra!

- Australis Kiama Blue - Kiama
- Hotel Ibis Wollongong
- Salt Serviced Apartments - Wollongong
- WISDOM Graphics - Wollongong
- Oriental Expression Restaurant - Wollongong
- Wombarra Sculpture Garden - Wombarra
- Flinders Budget Motel - Wollongong
- Getem Entertainment - Darkes Forest
- Scuba n Surf - Otford
- Ravensthorpe - Albion Park
- Oasis by the Lake - Windang

A diary date…..

The Tourism Wollongong Christmas Party will be held on Tuesday 19th December, commencing at 5.30pm. Come along and enjoy good food, wine and conversation with your fellow industry members. Venue TBC.

Events

Ballgames
Who: Wollongong IMB Hawks Vs Townsville Crocs
When: Saturday November 4
Where: WIN Entertainment Centre Cnr Crown and Harbour Streets, Wollongong NSW 2500
When: Tip off 7:40pm 
More info: Click here or phone 02 4220 2828. 

Wheely magnificent
What: MS Sydney to Wollongong Bike Ride - Australia's premier recreational spring cycling event and your chance to be part of a great fund raiser for MS
When: Sunday November 5
How: Register online
Where: Ride Starts at Sydney Park Cnr Princes Highway and Sydney Park Rd, Sydney and ends at Flagstaff Point, Endeavour Drive, Wollongong
More info: Click here or phone 02 9413 4166.

Flying hooves
What: Melbourne Cup @ Kembla Grange
Where: Kembla Grange Race Course Princes Highway, Kembla Grange NSW 2526
When: Tuesday, November 7
Why: It’s the Melbourne Cup - a great chance to dress up and spend the day with family and friends!
More info: Click here or phone 02 4261 7211. 

Art
What: An exhibition by Kristal Osmond
Where: at the WEC Artist Gallery
When: From November 1-30
Info: The exhibition is free admission to all.