Events supported by Destination Wollongong have injected a record $48.8 million into the city’s economy during the last year.
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A Destination Wollongong partner function on Tuesday was an opportunity to recognise the tourism body for the positive impact it is making. It has supported 28 events during the last year including 13 in the last three months that contributed $12.3 million into the local economy. The busy quarter rounded out the biggest financial year to date..up $9.1 million on the previous year.
Destination Wollongong life member Vicki Tiegs said the work being done by the whole team is significant.
“Mark Sleigh and his team under the leadership of chair Tania Brown and the Destination Wollongong Board are doing a great job bringing events to the city and region, nurturing new ones and making sure that the exposure for the city is maximised,” she said.
“The growth we are seeing has not happened overnight. It’s taken tenacity and bold strategic thinking from Destination Wollongong and commitment from Wollongong City Council to make it happen. The city is reaping the rewards”.
Mr Sleigh revealed Harley Days is returning to Stuart Park in October. And Wollongong will be the first region in Australia to adopt the environmentally conscious 100 per cent recyclable cardboard camping innovation, Kartent, at the 2017 Yours and Owls Music Festival.
In a Crowdseeker newsletter looking back at the last three months Merrigong Theatre Company’s decision to bring the Spiegeltent to town saw the community got behind the concept and 15,000 people ventured through further activating the Arts Precinct.
Over Easter Crafted Live was an overwhelming success in its first year, attracting more than 4,500 people to MacCabe Park. While in Lang Park 10,000 people turned out for the National Mustang Rally’s Show & Shine.
In May the Women’s Bowls NSW State Carnival and Crossfit Pacific Regional boosted visitation and business. Wings Over Illawarra drew a record crowd of more than 30,000 people. And the National Ultimate (Frisbee) Championships at Thomas Dalton Park and Comic Gong in the CBD attracted many more. Followed by Intervarsity Debating Championship and Dancesport Australia National Championships which will return in 2018.
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
