focus_contributor.
TALKING DESTINATION
with FIONA BARDEN
FROM COFFS CITY COUNCIL
With the busy summer holiday season long gone, it’s time for the tourism industry to rebuild and recharge for the year ahead.
M
arch is the month for Coffs Coast tourism businesses to get involved in a variety of activities, events and programs, from the Powering Up Your Online Presence program to hosting ECO Think Forum, a first-of-its-kind event for sustainable tourism businesses from around Australia. And it’s also time to celebrate the successes of our award-winning local businesses. 2021 NSW Tourism Awards. Coffs Coast businesses featured at the recent NSW Tourism Awards with six finalists and several award winners across 29 categories. Gold Award Winner - The Giingan Experience by BMNAC; Silver Award Winner - The Observatory Holiday Apartments; Bronze Award Winners - Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours and Coffs Skydivers; Finalists - Critters Distillery and HWH Stables. Our entire industry benefits from these incredible achievements. Congratulations and well done! Small Business and Beyond Festival. During Small Business Month, this festival for business leaders and big thinkers across the Coffs Coast, will host more than 100 local professionals for three days of inspiring sessions and networking. The program features current themes and business trends, including Mindset & Wellbeing, Sustainable Business, Place Making, Creative Industries, Entrepreneurship and Regional Connectivity. The Small Business and Beyond 50 COFFS COAST
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Festival speakers include trailblazers making significant waves within the changing world of business. All taking place in Coffs Harbour, March 30 - April 1. See 6degreesco.com.au for details. ECO Think Forum. The team at Destination Coffs Coast is thrilled to be co-hosting Ecotourism Australia’s inaugural ECO Think Destination Forum happening at Aanuka Resort on March 23 and 24. The event aligns seamlessly with the Coffs Coast’s recent announcement as the first and only ECO Destination in NSW. The forum features an exciting line-up of speakers from Tourism Australia, TRC Tourism and NSW National Parks & Wildlife. Power Up Your Online Presence. Council’s Industry & Destination Development team are partnering with industry experts for a FREE digital marketing program for businesses on the Coffs Coast that are part of our visitor economy – tourism operators, accommodations, hospitality and retail. The program is committed to helping businesses stay up-to-date with trends and the technology needed to engage with visitors. The program is coordinated by digital specialists Tourism Tribe and involves coaching sessions, workshops and access to ongoing online support. Motel Reimagining Project. Coffs is fortunate to be home to dynamic design duo, Peter Rektor and Robyn Trelore, from Designfocus. New to the region, they have a wealth of international experience in ‘reimagining’ accommodation
businesses. This year the Industry & Destination Development team will be working with Designfocus to assist several Coffs Coast motels through a one-on-one personalised program as the first step to an accommodation refresh. The project will help business owners create something new and exciting, that visitors to the destination will love… and won’t forget! Indulge in a Weekend of Flavour. North Coast Festival of Flavour is part of a FREE Destination NSW food campaign, where local farmers, producers, restaurateurs and brewers come together to create a delicious weekend of food, fun and flavour held on March 26 & 27. Locals can choose their favourite events at www. visitnsw.com and spend the weekend exploring the tastiest trails of the Coffs Coast. The perfect reason to try something new! The Coffs Coast will continue to be among the most attractive destinations for people to visit and enjoy these programs assist to make the Coffs Coast visitor experience more enjoyable and local businesses more sustainable. For more details on any of the listed programs and events email industry@chcc.nsw.gov.au #ECOcoffscoast #CoffsCoast #PlaceOfPlenty #OurPlaceIsGreat
