Tourism News

Tourism operators welcome seniors

A group of local tourism operators on the Central Coast have joined together to invite seniors to visit the region using the State Government’s Regional Tourism Partnership Funding program. Led by Central Coast Tourism, the $60,000 campaign is the first of its kind to take up the matched dollar-for-dollar NSW Government funding.

The campaign, which kicked off in May, is targeting both independent and senior’s group travel including Probus groups, and aims to provide a consistent presence in the over 50’s market until the end of the year. “Thanks to the Regional Tourism Partnership Funding we are able to double the contribution from the operators taking part,” said Sarah Kerrsmith, Sales and Marketing Manager of Central Coast Tourism. “We are working with two of the leading senior’s publications, running competitions, attending retirement village open days and having a presence at the Retirement and Lifestyle shows.”

Nine operators are taking part, with Treetops Resort Avoca Beach being the lead partner, and others including A Dozen Roses rose farm, Cedar Park Lavender Farm, Mt Penang Gardens, Winterpark Foods, St Fiacre Distillery, the Australian Reptile Park, Yarramalong Valley’s new attraction ‘Amazement’ and the Gosford Regional Gallery/Japanese Gardens.

Commenting on the program, Peter Evans, owner of Treetops Resort Avoca Beach said, “The more attractions there are to visit on the Central Coast, the longer we can encourage our visitors to stay. Our five-night Central Coast Experience Tour includes visits to all the attractions of those taking part in the campaign.”

Need for a night-time economy

Former President of The Entrance Chamber of Commerce, Michael Mason – owner of Club M nightclub at The Entrance and Blue Water Resort at Long Jetty – said a new approach needs to be taken with respect to the economy of The Entrance. “We need to make the place attractive and vibrant for young people and families. The place needs to be a fun place to come to and that means there needs to be more entertainment to attract them,” he said.

Mr Mason was critical of attitudes that are turning people away in droves at night. “I have spent thousands of dollars making Club M a great place to come to. It is the only evening entertainment in the area and people want to see us closed down. We run a top venue and we are very responsible servers of alcohol but still, there is a move to close us down. The Entrance needs a vibrant nighttime economy with more nightspots and profitable restaurants. Right now restaurants are closing up everywhere,” said Mr Mason.

Bus & Coach Show to promote The Entrance

The Entrance Town Centre Management will promote The Entrance at the 2009 Bus & Coach Operators Show at Rosehill Gardens in October. In a letter to local businesses, Town Centre Manager, Paul Barnes said his organisation will be promoting The Entrance to bus and coach operators for day and weekend trips. The intention is to attract tour operators by offering a selection of day or extended trips such as an Adventure Weekend, Dine Dance and Drink Weekend and Family Fun Day Weekend.

Commenting on the move, a local tourist operator said, “We are going back thirty years. It didn’t work then because the operators couldn’t make money from it.” Meanwhile, following the adoption of The Entrance Peninsula Planning Strategy by Wyong Council in July, The Entrance Town Centre Management Corporation will have an expanded role that will include developing comprehensive tourism strategies. For more information see our cover story “A new plan for The Entrance”.

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