We're tops in the state

November proved to be a hugely successful month, with Tourism Wollongong taking out 3 major industry awards.

Grand Pacific Drive won the prestigious 'Tourism Product Marketing' category at the NSW Tourism Awards on Thursday 16th November. A great result for a brand that is not even 12 months old!

Also at the same event, Kate Dombkins won the coveted 'Wendy O'Donahue Young Achiever in Tourism' award for her contribution to the tourism industry thus far.

The winning continued with Tourism Wollongong taking out the 'Barry Smith Award' at the Illawarra Business Chamber Awards on the following night.

Awards are only won by a team effort so a big thank you to all involved.

International activity soaring!

Tourism Wollongong’s program of bringing industry and media representatives to the region on “famils” kept staff particularly busy during November, with two international film crews, a Chinese delegation and a group of New Zealand travel agents enjoying the best of what the region has to offer.

These activities are now bearing results with a major inbound agent introducing an overnight stay at the Hotel Ibis Wollongong. The Lord Mayor Alex Darling (pictured) welcomed the group at the Five Islands Brewery late last month.

We wish you a Merry Christmas

It’s that time of the year again and the Board of Tourism Wollongong wants you to help us celebrate a successful year.

Our annual Christmas party will be held at the CBD Sports Bar at Rydges Wollongong on Tuesday December 19, commencing at 5.30pm.

Please RSVP to Melissa Davis via email by Tuesday 12th December.

Welcome to Rachael Lihou

We would like to welcome our newest member to the team; Rachael Lihou who has taken on the new role of 'Sales & Marketing Manager - Conference and Events'.

Rachael's role will be to attract increased conference and event tourism to the city, concentrating on associations, corporate and government business plus sporting events.

We look forward to her being a part of the team.

Magazine exposure for Grand Pacific Drive

Grand Pacific Drive was featured as one of Australia’s top 12 drives in the November edition of 'Wish', a magazine published with The Australian newspaper on Friday 3rd November.

 
We’re delighted that the drive was selected as one of the top dozen in the country and that our coastal route – which includes the almost year-old Sea Cliff Bridge – has so quickly gaining notoriety.

Launch of South Coast Holiday Planner

Minster for Tourism, Ms. Sandra Nori launched the Tourism NSW South Coast Holiday Planner at Mogo Zoo late last month.

The planner features Grand Pacific Drive and the Wollongong/Illawarra area and is being distributed in Sydney's major Visitor Information Centres, via call centres and is also downloadable on www.visitnsw.com.

11,000 turn out for Gong ride

 More than 11,000 cyclists turned out to participate in the 2006 Sydney to Gong bike ride last month.

The event was hailed a great success despite the inclement weather, with the ride across the new Sea Cliff Bridge a highlight for most of the participants.

Tourism Wollongong is already looking forward to next year’s event, which will undoubtedly bring more people to this part of the world and give them the great opportunity to ride Grand Pacific Drive!

Tourism Wollongong AGM

Our AGM was held on Tuesday 21st November at the Wollongong Golf Club.

We would like to welcome a new member to the board- Jane Deegan who is the General Manager of Quest Wollongong.

The team at Tourism Wollongong look forward to working with the board in 2006/07 as we grow tourism in the region.

Events

What: Basketball - Wollongong IMB Hawks Vs South Dragons
When: Sunday, December 31. Tip off 6.30pm
Where: WIN Entertainment Centre
How to be a part of it: www.wec.org.au  

What: Basketball - Wollongong IMB Hawks Vs Adelaide 36'ers
When: Wednesday, December 20
Where: WIN Entertainment Centre
How to be a part of it: www.wec.org.au  

What: 26th Annual Wollongong Italian Festival
When: Sunday December 3 - 1.30pm Mass, 4pm spaghetti race, music, fireworks
Where: Cathedral (Mass) and procession (to Sacred Heart Chapel) and WIN Entertainment Centre (celebrations)
Why: In honour of San Giovanni Battista
How to be a part of it: www.wec.org.au  

What: Rip Curl Girls Go Surfing days (the world’s largest event-based learn to surf program for non-surfers and beginners).
Who: Taupu Surf School
When: December 9 and 10
Where: North Wollongong and Thirroul Beaches
How: Lessons will be conducted throughout the weekend at $40 including a show bag for every participant – bookings essential. Call 4268 0088 or go to www.taupusurfschool.com