Locals and visitors are being encouraged to "Play It Forward" when they go out to further boost the economy.
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The new campaign is part of Destination Wollongong's "Press Play" initiative and provides incentives for people to spend locally.
"Play It Forward" ambassador and Jillaroo star Allana Ferguson is adding her voice to the campaign by encouraging people to continue their spending journey from one business to the next.
She said as a girl who grew up in Bulli she was really proud to be asked to support her home town this way. Her father still runs a fishing store called Fergo's Tackle World in Warrawong.
"I love the area so much and I love the way everyone comes together in a community like Wollongong," she said.
"I think it is really important for all of us to show our community support by chipping in and helping local businesses. I am really passionate about this area.
"I know how everyone is feeling the impact of COVID-19. I know we are all looking for ways to help. And I think this campaign is a great way to support multiple businesses."
Destination Wollongong general manager Mark Sleigh said "Play it Forward" was a goodwill concept.
When a customer spends $50 at the first participating venue they receive a $20 discount voucher for the next participating venue when another $50 is spent.
Ryan Aitchison from The Illawarra hotel has been doing everything he can to stock local and encourage people to buy local. He jumped at the opportunity to be part of this new initiative.
"It is great that Destination Wollongong is trying to stimulate local business. The emphasis is not just on each of us and how we can grow our own business but how we can grow the economy as a whole," he said.
"I love how this campaign encourages people to get out and support local businesses and encourages businesses to help and promote each other.
"This really sums up how Wollongong is as a whole and how people are already willing to support each other. And the fact we have a body here that is helping us take that to the next level is brilliant."
Mr Sleigh said 2020 was an unprecedented year and businesses were continuing to do it tough, so it was important to support them.
"The aim of "Play It Forward" is to encourage locals to get out and about and enjoy new experiences in their own backyard and spend money in the local economy.
"What we are seeing is on Saturday night businesses are doing well and Friday nights are not too bad. But from Sunday through to Thursday visitors just aren't there at the moment while borders are closed.
Participating businesses;
- Altitude 1148
- Coldwater Creek Restaurant and Bar at the Sage Hotel Wollongong
- Culinarius Catering & Fine Foods
- Diggies - Wollongong location only
- Headlands Austinmer Beach
- His Boy Elroy
- Lagoon Seafood Restaurant
- Levendi Fish & Chippery
- Outback Steakhouse - Wollongong location only
- The 19th at Wollongong Golf Club
- The Coffee Club - Wollongong location only
- The Fraternity Club
- The Illawarra Hotel
- Breakout Bar & Escape Rooms
- Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures
- Illawarra Surf Academy
- Illawarra Woodwork School
- Skydive Australia - Wollongong location only
- South Coast Sidecar Tours
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding Shellharbour
- Sydney Caravan & Campers
- Symbio Wildlife Park - can be redeemed on family passes only
- Trees Adventure Nowra Park
- Adina Apartment Hotel Wollongong
- Mantra Wollongong
- Nova Kiama
- Novotel Wollongong Northbeach
- Quality Suites Pioneer Sands
- Sage Hotel Wollongong
- Wollongong Serviced Apartments
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