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- 2 March 2005
Wollongong Tourism
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Page: 14486
Ms NOREEN HAY (Wollongong) [1.34 p.m.], by leave: I congratulate the New South Wales Government and the Minister for Tourism on the new tourism advertisements promoting the South Coast, which have given Wollongong tourist operators a solid platform on which to further build tourism numbers. It will help to attract the very competitive tourism dollar, which we hope will in turn improve our economic structure and lead to the creation of employment opportunities. Honourable members will appreciate that, in an area such as Wollongong, we welcome and embrace every opportunity for job creation. Television advertisements, which commenced in mid-February, have reached an audience of 1.6 million Sydneysiders and we understand that that will continue until about April.
The New South Wales Government has targeted the Sydney market because it is the biggest and most lucrative in Australia. This advertising campaign, however, is but one part of a very strong and detailed plan for tourism across the board. As the member for the electorate of Wollongong I am keen to represent my community and to ensure that we get as large a piece of that cake as we can. I am also aware that the Minister has played a very hands-on role in ensuring that this campaign has been run across the board. For the first time a State-based television commercial is promoting the South Coast from Wollongong to the Victorian border.
The South Coast boasts quality attractions and experiences, magnificent beaches, coastal views, food and wine, and friendly smiles from the locals. The area boasts award-winning restaurants and a beautiful harbour, which is a popular attraction. Wollongong is hidden down on the South Coast but it is a jewel in the State's crown. Wollongong In the past couple of years since I was elected to this House a number of members who had not been to the Wollongong area have visited us and have been amazed that a city only one hour's drive from Sydney could be so magnificent—a countrified city, if you will, with beaches surrounding it that are second to none.
I am proud to say that last year Port Kembla Beach won the Australia's Family Friendliest Beach Award. The advertisements provide an opportunity for tourism operators and other businesses to take advantage of the promotion and to welcome more tourists to the region, and I encourage that as much as I can. The campaign also targets people from regional New South Wales, Canberra, Melbourne and regional Victoria. The campaign includes television and cinema commercials, print advertising, web activity and publicity.
The South Coast also featured in last month's regional campaign, reaching an estimated audience of 3.5 million people during a three-week initial run. The Illawarra Mercury today reported that Wollongong has won the right to host the Tourism Industry Council of New South Wales Annual Conference in September, which is expected to attract more than 200 tourism leaders. The Tourism Industry Council is a new industry lobby group, and it held its first conference in the Hunter Valley last year. The decision to host this year's conference in Wollongong is a clear indication of that city's reputation as a tourist destination, and is an opportunity to showcase a city that has worked hard to reposition itself through the local council's Wollongong Image Campaign.
Other reasons for Wollongong's selection as the preferred choice of venue for this year's conference are the very visible examples of beach, city, cultural development and diversity, and the region's success in attracting emerging tourism markets. I extend my congratulations to all those involved for their hard work and dedication. I welcome the comments by Greg Binskin, Wollongong Tourism Manager, who stated that the industry is now embracing the city's hard work to attract tourists.
Private members' statements noted.
[Madam Acting-Speaker (Ms Marie Andrews) left the chair at 1.39 p.m. The House resumed at 2.15 p.m.]
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