The event at City Beach Function Centre was co-hosted he NSW Business Chamber and Illawarra Business Chamber. Tourism business operators in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, South Coast and Southern Highlands were invited to to discuss practical tips, tactics and planning insights in digital marketing and consumer research.

Mr Lamont said tourism was worth well over $1 billion to the region. Domestic day trippers now spend over a $1 billion per annum and international overnight visitors spend a further $250 million. More than 145 attendees explored the latest travel research information and reviewed the latest technology used to offer and purchase tourism experiences.

And a focus was the significant role of electronic marketing and client purchase pathways.

”This is an industry that..provides a range of employment and business opportunities, Mr Lamont said..

Tourism Research Australia figures reveal the top information sources used by visitors prior to travel are online travel sites (34 per cent), direct with operator/provider (17 per cent), recommendations from friends/relatives (17 per cent), and internet search (14 per cent).

“According to the latest industry research more than half of would be travellers are now sourcing information online, hence the importance of effective use of digital marketing and the latest technology,” Mr Lamont said.

Destination Wollongong chair Tania Brown said a strong visitor economy was critical to a vibrant and diversified regional economy.

“It is also important to note that there is no business in the region which does not benefit from growth in visitor numbers. Visitors eat in our cafes, fill up in our petrol stations, and get their hair done prior to going to weddings and special events,” Mr Brown said.