Top operators recognised in celebration of region's 'best of the best'

The Illawarra’s top names in tourism were recognised in fine style when the Illawarra Tourism Awards for 2006 were presented at a gala event at the WIN Entertainment Centre on September 20. 

Around 400 tourism industry representatives were on hand to celebrate tourism in the Illawarra. 

Wollongong operators took out a total of 9 awards in the evening, with Janet's Royalty Rooms taking out the popular 'People's Choice Award'. Winners of the other major awards were; Jonni Harrison from Lagoon Seafood Restaurant for Young Achiever in Tourism and Michael Bolt for the 'Robert East Award for Outstanding contribution to tourism by an individual'. 

Congratulations to everyone.

Tourism Week success!

Illawarra Tourism Week was a success, enabling us to further raise awareness about the importance of tourism in the Illawarra, showcasing the amazing amount of product that we have for local people to experience.

The 2006 Illawarra Tourism Awards, a two-part seminar called 'Managing Change' attracting 40 operators and a visit from Tourism Australia were the highlights of the inaugural Illawarra Tourism Week, held from September 18-22. 

We gained valuable insights into the international and domestic marketing initiatives and opportunities from Tourism Australia's presence. Locally, we showcased via the Illawarra Mercury the vast array of tourism experiences out there in our own backyard and through a major competition, encouraged the local community to ‘get out there and experience it’.

Grand Pacific Drive from the air

Grand Pacific Drive is now featured in the arrivals video on every international Qantas flight flying into Sydney. 

The airline has used footage commissioned by Tourism Wollongong and some of its own to create vision which is expected to be seen by millions of visitors for the next 18 months.

It was great to see Grand Pacific Drive take out the award for Marketing and Promotions at the 2006 Illawarra Touism Awards.

Target India

Wollongong and the Illawarra joined forces with the Southern Highlands and the Bradman Museum of Cricket to target the emerging Indian tourism market, with Grand Pacific Drive, our beaches and the museum being key highlights. 

The Tourism Australia India Mission was our first venture into this market and we set the tongues wagging, offering Indians a holiday with a difference. Feedback and interest has been encouraging from this  market.

Kate gives an OzTalk

Tourism Wollongong’s Sales and Marketing – Special Projects representative, Kate Dombkins, represented the Illawarra at Tourism Australia’s biannual OzTalk South East Asia in Bangkok recently. 

Grand Pacific Drive was heavily featured in her presentations to the top product planners in the region along with some of the great new products that the Illawarra is proud of.

With new accommodation coming online, we are concentrating on encouraging product planners to include an overnight stay in the Illawarra into their itineraries.

CLOSING SOON!! Place your Guide advertisement now!

Tourism Wollongong is again producing the guides; Eating Out, Recreation and Accommodation, to be ready for the summer holidays. 

These guides are extensively distributed throughout NSW and have proven extremely popular for our visitors. 

To ensure you are in the hands of visitors, please contact Tourism Wollongong’s Sales and Marketing Manager; Greg Soster on 02 4228 0300 or via email.

What's on!

Sports:
The Wollongong IMB Hawks have a busy month ahead at home. They will meet the Melbourne Tigers Sunday October 8 at WIN Stadium. The home team will then play NZ Breakers on Monday October 16, with a 7.40pm tip-off, followed by the Brisbane Bullets game on Friday, October 20, also starting at 7.40pm.

Food and Wine: 
The Wine Wollongong and Food Exhibition will be held on Saturday October 14 from noon till 5pm at Vikings Stadium, boasting a selection of wines from throughout Australia with a focus on regional NSW. There’ll be regional food for tasting, for lunch and for taking away to taste another time, as well as boutique beers, cooking exhibitions, market stalls and rides for the kids. Admission is $20. 

Diary date: November 21st for the Tourism Wollongong AGM. More information to come.