Destination Wollongong is starting work on a Grand Pacific Drive digital revitalisation project to attract more visitors to the area with the help of $75,000 from the NSW government.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward announced the funding at a Destination Wollongong partner function at the Sage Hotel near WIN Stadium on Tuesday night.
Mr Ward said the money was made available under the state government’s Regional Visitor Economy Fund and would be used to help promote visitation to the Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Nowra local government areas.
Mr Ward said the project aimed to increase awareness of Grand Pacific Drive through the design and development of an innovative website to enhance the visitor experience and enable online bookings for products and accommodation located along the scenic coastal road.
He said a digital marketing campaign targeting Sydney-based grey nomads, families and young affluent couple/travel parties would create awareness of the iconic stretch of road and importantly, generate additional consumer traffic to the new website.
‘‘Funding will go directly towards fostering regional tourism businesses and promoting the wonderful tourism products and experiences the South Coast has to offer,’’ Mr Ward said.
Destination Wollongong general manager Mark Sleigh said Grand Pacific Drive had maintained a strong international presence since it was launched in December 2005.
But Mr Sleigh said ageing technology had hamstrung greater awareness closer to home.
“Securing this funding ... allows us to take the domestic marketing of Grand Pacific Drive to a whole new level,’’ he said.
‘‘Key research has shown the need for a mobile responsive website with navigation and trip planning functionality to suit a technology-savvy audience.’’
The revitalisation project will be rolled out in two stages.
The first involved the development of a new website and the second, an innovative digital marketing campaign.