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July 2010 |
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Hi Michelle
Welcome to a bumper July edition of NRT- INDUSTRY E News.
E News is designed to keep you up to date with happenings within the tourism industry in our region. We welcome comments or contributions from our subscribers and NRT Members, forward them to the editor - click here. If you wish to update your contact details click here. |
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| | Travel television offers great promotion for our region |
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Today and tomorrow Network Seven's Sydney Weekender TV program team are in Byron Bay doing a segment for a 30 minute regional NSW special being done in conjunction with Tourism NSW. The theme of the show will be around the new brand for regional NSW - See where it takes you.
In Byron they are taking a look at the Byron Bay Foodscape Tours and the retro caravan accommodation at The Atlantic Guesthouse. Hopefully they will also note that Byron Bay was recently voted No 1 ‘Destination in the World’ among European travellers and No 3 in the best ‘Beach and Sun Destinations’ on TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards 2010.
One of the rooms at the Middle Pub, 'Mullum' featured on Getaway in June
Nine's Getaway program featured a segment on Mulumbimby and it surrounds on 17 June. They had heavy rain on their visit, but presenter Catriona Rowntree found good things to do indoors, as well as a visit to Crystal Castle. Check it out at this link.
Remember that any attraction being promoted in the Northern Rivers helps promote visitors to the region and others benefit. As well, keep them informed of your attraction, experience or accommodation and you may well feature too. |
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| Rivers of Life flow again in new campaign |
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Travellers from South East Queensland and Regional NSW are being attracted to the Northern Rivers as a region of towns and villages, blessed with stunning coastline, lush hinterland and precious National Parks, abundant local produce and community markets, a vibrant arts and creative sector, and an emphasis on health and wellness.
The 2010 Rivers of Life cooperative marketing campaign has just been launched to build on last year's promotion and will utilise the rivers of life website which attracted nearly 6500 unique visitors over the life of that campaign.
Tourism Managers from the Tweed, Ballina, Lismore, Kyogle, Richmond Valley and the Clarence are working together to promote destinations, in conjunction with Northern Rivers Tourism and Tourism NSW.
“Rivers of Life aligns the resources and marketing funds of local tourism organisations, local government, the regional tourism authority Northern Rivers Tourism and Tourism NSW”, says NRT CEO Russell Mills.
Nearly $70,000 worth of marketing initiatives including cooperative advertising in travel and motoring publications, a regional map for distribution via visitor information centres and a presence at consumer travel shows including the Westpac Helicopter 4WD Caravan Camping & Marine Show in Lismore this week has just begun.
Phase 2 of the campaign will invite industry operators from across the region to provide tactical holiday offers to boost business from August.
For more information visit www.riversoflife.com.au |
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Nominations are now open for the Regional Achievement and Community Awards.
Industry & Investment NSW is again sponsoring these awards, this year in two categories;
- the Business Enterprise Award which has a $5,000 cash prize & is targeted at organisations like Chambers of Commerce
- the Events & Tourism Award which offers a promotional package with Prime TV valued at approx $5,000.
Last years winners were Brunswick Heads Chamber of Commerce & Mungindi Music Festival.
If you would like a nomination form
click here
or for more information
click here. |
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| Promoting ourselves to NZ |
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NRT presented our region and International Destination Marketing Program partners under the Byron Bay and Beyond banner at a Famil and Workshop from New Zealand travel agents.
The famil took in the Tweed and Byron coast and hinterland. We treated the agents to some spectacular weather and initial feedback is that the agents see us a a great alternative to Gold Coast.
The NZ market has been in decline for our region over the past 18 mths, so NRT's efforts to maintain a competitve presence in that market are important. |
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Currently on in Byron and proving to be an attraction to visitors and locals is the artsCape Biennial, an exhibition of environmental sculpture, situated within the beachside parklands in the heart of Byron Bay.
A free 16 day outdoor sculpture event, artsCape promotes the visual arts and cultural development in the Northern Rivers region of Australia and is on until next Sunday 11 July.
The artsCape Biennial Sculpture Prize went to NSW artists Dominique Sutton & Sasha Reid for ‘Melt’. (pictured)
For the energetic, instead of the artistic in Byron
Byron Bay Ocean Paddle, an ocean craft racing event will be held in Byron Bay over the weekend of 17 & 18 July.
Two races will be held over the weekend and it is expected that about 500 competitors will compete as well as an extra 1500 to 2000 people will come to town for the weekend and the days preceeding and after the event.
Last year's test event attracted just over 100 competitors including Olympic Medallists, National Champions and many locals.
Check out the website at www.byronbayoceanpaddler.com
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| Tourism staff promote Northern Rivers at every chance |
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Tourism representation from Richmond Valley, Lismore, Tweed, Ballina, Kyogle, Clarence Valley and the Scenic Rim saw a combined effort in promoting the Northern Rivers Region at the 2010 Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Holiday Expo in Brisbane and PRIMEX , Primary Industry Exhibition in Casino.
Exhibiting at these expos is just one of the initiatives of the Northern Rivers Tourism Managers Group who are cooperatively promoting our region and its products with support from Northern Rivers Tourism. The Summerland Way, Rainforest Way and other regional products were exposed to potential visitors. This year nearly 80,000 people attended the 7 day exhibition Qld. Expo held over the June long weekend period(pictured left).
 
Casino’s PRIMEX, held three days after the Brisbane Expo, also boasted record numbers through the doors with visitors travelling for up to four hours to attend(pictured right). Local accommodation levels during the show were at capacity in the Richmond Valley and Lismore areas with some participants staying as far away as Grafton and Ballina. The event gave the region an opportunity for greater exposure and generated a significant financial benefit to the Northern Rivers economy overall.
Richmond Valley Council’s Tourism and Promotions Officer Rod Caldicott says “Our presence at these shows is integral to marketing the region as a holiday destination. Engagement with the travelling community and locals alike gives us an additional avenue to provide product exposure and keep us top of mind as a tourism destination.
“The Tourism Managers Group realises that while the natural attributes of this region sell themselves as an ideal location to live and holiday in, we still need to ensure exposure at every opportunity. We can’t afford to rest on our laurels.”
The Northern Rivers region will have a combined exhibition stand at the upcoming Caravan, Camping, 4WD and Marine Show in Lismore at the end of this week and will continue having a presence at a number of other trade shows outside the area throughout the year.
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| Lismore Lantern Parade warms hearts and attracts visitors |
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Lismore's annual Lantern Parade has been held again to mark the winter solstice, attracting thousands of visitors and locals to view what many considered one of the best held.
More than a kilometre long, the parade featured hundreds of handmade lanterns, big and small. It was estimated that 10,000 people watched the parade.
With clear skies, a partial eclipse in progress and mild winter weather, festival coordinator, Jyllie Jackson said it was one of the biggest parades yet.
The Lismore Lantern Parade Festival organisers are seeking feedback from both the local community and visitors who attended this year’s event.
All attendees are encouraged to log on to www.visitlismore.com.au and complete a short five-minute survey.
 
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Registrations will open and the preliminary program released in the week beginnng 19 July for the second Tourism Symposium.
The Tourism Symposium will take place on 18 & 19 October at Peppers at Salt Resort and Spa, Kingscliff.
The theme is The Long Tail of Travel, focusing on the transformative role of technology in travel distribution and promotion.
The event will present highly regarded speakers on this and other relevant topics, skills development workshops and networking opportunities.
Save the dates! |
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| | Indigenous tourism conference |
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The next Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference will be held In Perth from 29th March to 1 April 2011.
The intent of the Conference is to assist and promote the Indigenous tourism business and industry sector as well as provide a comprehensive overview of the tourism industry.
The Conference aims to bring people from around Australia and overseas that are involved with the Indigenous tourism landscape.
For more information click here. |
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| Centenary of Rail - hundreds celebrate at steam train event |
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On the last weekend in June, Lachlan Valley Railway's steam train travelled the historic route between Casino and Kyogle, to commemorate 100 years since the daily journey between Casino and Kyogle used to be run.
The steam engine carried families, seniors and train enthusiasts beyond the Richmond Valley to Loadstone in the Border Ranges. The highlight of the day was the arrival of the 'Centenary Train', the closure of the midday journey as the steam train returned to Kyogle station, just as the first trains did 100 years before.
The decorated platform was congested with passengers and onlookers who were entertained by the Casino & Kyogle Brass Band. Kyogle mayor Ross Brown gave a speech opening the Centenary celebration, and was accompanied by Richmond Valley Councils' mayor Col Sullivan in support of the joint council event.
It is the intention of both councils to rerun the event at some time in the future, dependant on the schedule of the popular Lachlan Valley Railways engine. Perhaps a future tourist event for the region? |
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Introducing NRT Members - Expedia
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Each month NRT E News will be featuring one of our Members* who have come on board to be more involved in our industry and benefit from more information, access to a bigger network of industry contacts and some of whom can offer benefits to tourism businesses in the Northern Rivers.
This month we feature Expedia..........
Expedia, Inc. is the world’s leading online travel company, empowering business and leisure travelers with the tools and information they need to easily research, plan, book and experience travel through our worldwide marketplace of premier consumer brands. With more than 74 million global travellers a month searching Expedia branded web sites, Expedia is the world’s largest travel marketplace and delivers unmatched global demand to its partners.
The benefits of joining Expedia via the Expedia Special Rate (ESR) model provide exposure to all their points of sale globally including Expedia.com They include:
· Joining Expedia is free!
· Expedia’s commission is just 10% & 25% (10% on Australian and New Zealand points of sales within 28 days and 25% for all other bookings)
· Expedia provides global distribution, with strong sales from the US, Europe and Asia
· Over 60 million customers per month visit Expedia sites worldwide
· Over 40,000 Travel Agents worldwide use Expedia at no additional commission to operators
These are just some of the benefits so if you would like to learn more contact Louis Mavraidouis
Business Development Manager, Oceania, email lmavraidis@expedia.com or ph (02) 80906618
* Members are subscribers who have joined the Incorporated organisation and pay membership fees - for more information click here. |
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It has become the main way for gaining information for a new generation - the worldwide web.
Northern Rivers Tourism is now embracing social media to promote our region.....
We now have a page on Facebook, so you can folow us and our followers there!
Visit the NRT Facebook page here.
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| Ramada offers 'win your stay' online |
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School holidays are a time for family travels and the Ramada Suites at Ballina have come up with a novel promotion to encourage bookings.
If visitors book online for the school holiday period, one of those who book on line will win their stay for free.
In some seasons there is a need to provide incentives to encourage bookings or visits. We will report in the next edition on how this promotion has gone in encouraging bookings at Ballina's Ramada.
We hope your initiative is rewarded with good school holiday bookings! |
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| | | Does your town need a website? |
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The NSW State Budget for 2010-11 included $90,000 for small communities in rural and remote NSW to supplement or establish an internet website promoting their town and tourism attractions.
Grants are provided to community based organisations involved in local community promotion that demonstrate a clear community benefit in their application.
Funds of $5,000 are available per community for eligible projects that demonstrate community in-kind contributions and who have not received similar funding in the past.
Click here for more information. For an application form click here.
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| Tasting a great part of tourism opporunities in the Northern Rivers |
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Northern Rivers Food is bringing John Newton, one of NSW's and Australia's leading food writers, to the Northern Rivers.
He will be speaking to local foodies at Seven Mile Cafe at Lennox Head on 13 July over dinner.
The cost is only $15 for members and $30 for non-members, which includes some excellent local foods to taste. For bookings and information click here.
Award winners!
While on the subject of food, congratulations to Alstonville's Il Postino Restaurant which was awarded best new restaurant in the 2010 Savour Australia Restaurant and Catering Awards for Excellence for Northern NSW. Othr winners were:
Kinoko, Byron Bay, best Asian
Ate, Bangalow, best breakfast
Fire in the Belly, Lismore, best pizza
Byron Bay Beach Cafe, best restaurant caterer
(Winner of best restaurant overall was Fiasco Ristorante and Bar, Coffs Harbour) |
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| What's on in the Northern Rivers this month.......................
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Grafton Horse Racing Carnival
8 - 18 July
CRJC: (02) 6642 2566
All Natural Expo
Venue: Bangalow
Date: 10-12 July 2009
www.global-healing.com
4WD Caravan, Camping & Marine Show
Venue: Lismore Showgrounds.
Date: Friday 9 - Sunday 11 July 2010
Contact: 02 6627 4444
www.lismore4wdshow.com.au
Rusty Gromfest
Dates: July 2010
Venue: Ballina & Lennox Head Beaches
Contact: Max Perriott (02) 6687 5066
Byron Bay Ocean Paddle
Dates: 17 & 18 July 2010
Venue: Around Byron Bay
Contact: Kurt Tutt on 0414 758 982 or Peter Hogan on 0413979054
www.byronbayoceanpaddler.com
Evans Head Fishing Classic
Dates: 17 - 24 July
Venue: Evans Head and Woodburn RSL
Contact: Ray Collins (02) 6682 5174
Opera at The Channon
Date: Sunday 25 July 2010
Venue: Coronation Park, The Channon Showground
Contact: Westpac Rescue Helicopter on (02) 6627 4444 or Pauline Ritten on (02) 6622 4177
www.helirescue.com.au/events |
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