Businesses invited to join Wagga Wagga Tourism Partner Program

8 May 2018

Applications for the Wagga Tourism Partner Program open this month, with local businesses encouraged to participate in the rewarding Wagga Wagga City Council initiative.

Visitor Economy and Events Coordinator Fiona Hamilton said the second year of the program was a success, with partner numbers growing from 70 to 122, including 10 other councils, and she expected this number to increase in the coming year as more businesses see the benefits of the partnership program.

“In 2017/18 we held seven industry member workshops and produced three new publications: a Conference and Function Guide, Wagga Wagga and Surrounds Visitor Guide, Wagga Wagga and Surrounds Discovery Map with a selection of partners also collaborating on new micro festivals like Fitz Live,” she said.

Annually, 1.4 million visitors choose Wagga as a destination for short or long stays for work or leisure and spent about $340M at local businesses.

The innovative program is an opportunity for local tourism-related businesses to partner with Visit Wagga marketing campaigns, visitor publications, event collaborations and tap into industry development and support.

“We’ve tweaked the 2018/19 program, our third, in response to feedback from our partners,” Ms Hamilton said.

“Changes include tiered membership options, which will be open to all businesses within the Wagga Wagga Local Government area and businesses within 120km of Wagga.

“There’ll be additional print publications introduced, in response to the popularity of the current collateral. In addition, we’ll offer more industry networking and workshop opportunities.”

Owner of Cave BBQ, Jason Crowley, is a current tourism partner. Cave BBQ is an example of a homegrown business that offers visitors a new and authentic experience of locally sourced products.

“Becoming a Wagga Tourism Partner has opened up a whole new range of opportunities to not only grow and develop what we offer to visitors, but to interact and network with other partners to collaborate and drive increased visitation to our region,” he said.

Businesses and other organisations can sign up for the Wagga Tourism Partner Program at any time during the year, but to be included in the 2018/19 Visitor Guide they will need to join by 13 June, 2018.

More information and a copy of the program prospectus can be found at visitwagga.com/partners.

Visitor Economy and Events Coordinator, Fiona Hamilton is available for interview.

Contact Kate Roberts 6926 9133 / 0409 079 663 or media@wagga.nsw.gov.au