Digital marketing plan to drive increased visitations, business growth

Joint media release by Pat Conaghan MP, Gurmesh Singh MP and Coffs Harbour Mayor Cr Denise Knight

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan says increasing visitations to the Coffs Harbour region along with driving business growth are two key elements in a new digital marketing plan announced on Monday July 26.

The marketing plan, Exploring Coffs Coast, received $452,460 under the Federal and State Government’s Bushfire Local Economic Recovery program.

The project is one of 195 across NSW announced under the program to support locally led bushfire recovery initiatives, Mr Conaghan said.

“Exploring Coffs Coast is a digitally innovative marketing project design to complement the new destination website and build a digital future for local tourism businesses,” he said.

“The project will include digital gamification activities; digital trails and itineraries to showcase tourism products; augmented reality products; digital skill development for local businesses.

“Increased visitation and business growth will also develop employment opportunities within the region,” he said.

Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the digital marketing project will be crucial in the continuing growth of Coffs Coast tourism.

“It’s no secret we’re Australia’s best address and this exciting initiative will showcase to the world what we have to offer,” Mr Singh said.

“I also welcome its potential to create even more jobs in our region.”

Coffs Harbour Mayor Councillor Denise Knight said: “The bushfires in late 2019, the subsequent floods and the COVID-19 pandemic have all had an impact on the Coffs Coast.

“As a community, we want to come out of this time stronger and more resilient and the experienced Coffs Coast team at Council have come up with a fantastic approach with the Exploring Coffs Coast digitally project. It will provide a unique vehicle to attract potential and returning visitors, drive greater visitation, boost the local economy and encourage visitors to really explore the whole region.”

These projects are the latest to be announced as part of a joint investment of more than $500 million in Local Economic Recovery, jointly funded by the Australian and NSW governments to support locally led bushfire recovery initiatives.

The jointly-funded program targets upgrades to facilities and enhancements to community spaces with up to $283 million Federal and NSW government already announced.

Projects have a focus on drawing people to the region, supporting primary industries to enhance economic and social recovery, create jobs, and improve community resilience for future emergency events.

Funding for LER projects is just one of the initiatives supported by the Federal Government’s National Bushfire Recovery Fund.

Details of successful local economic recovery projects in New South Wales – and across other states – are available on the National Recovery and Resilience Agency website at http://www.recovery.gov.au/our-community/local-bushfire-recovery-projects