Still time to help shape the future of tourism in Wagga Wagga
Published: 10 Jan 2025 12:06pm
Residents and local tourism businesses will have the chance to find out more about Wagga Wagga’s Draft Destination Management Plan and have their say about the future of tourism in the city at one of the upcoming community engagement sessions.
The draft plan was placed on public exhibition at the end of November 2024, but there is still time to provide your input, with feedback accepted through to Sunday 16 February 2025.
Council's Destination and Events Coordinator Kimberly Parker says the plan aims to provide a strategic direction for the development of Wagga Wagga’s visitor economy through to 2034/35.
“It’s the first of its kind for our city, which is very exciting for us,” Ms Parker said. “This will be a roadmap for Wagga Wagga to develop and grow our tourism potential over the next 10 years and allow us to be competitive in the tourism space.
“We spent 12 months doing community consultation, talking with locals as well as businesses, industry and stakeholders to understand from their perspective where they see opportunities to continue developing tourism and events for the city and surrounding region.
“From the consultation process, we were able to identify four key destination themes, which will help shape tourism in Wagga Wagga: First Nations; agritourism and culinary; water and nature; and creativity, culture, and place.
“These themes are reflected throughout this plan and the four key strategic areas where we see the visitor economy growing for Wagga Wagga.
“Now we’re after feedback from community and industry on what has been captured to ensure that the final strategy reflects the key focus areas to develop over the next decade of tourism in the city.”
Residents and local tourism businesses are encouraged to read the draft plan, which can be viewed at haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au/dmp or in person at our Visitor Information Centre or the Civic Centre.
Over the next five weeks of the public exhibition period, Council will host a range of opportunities for people to find out more about the draft plan and provide their input.
“You can visit a static kiosk across the city, drop in written feedback and go in the draw to win one of four Wagga Wagga tourism experiences,” Ms Parker said. “The kiosk locations include Wagga Wagga’s Airport, Civic Theatre, Civic Centre, Art Gallery, and the Museum of the Riverina’s Botanic Gardens site.
“We will also be visiting our rural villages, alongside Council’s Agile Library, to chat with locals and gather their feedback.
“Residents and businesses are also invited to drop in to chat with the team over a coffee to share their feedback at one of our café pop-ups at various locations over the coming five weeks.”
An industry briefing session for local tourism businesses will be taking place on Thursday 30 January. Wagga Wagga tourism operators can register their attendance online, but are limited to two representatives per tourism business or organisation.
Details on all engagement points and pop-up events are at haveyoursay.wagga.nsw.gov.au/dmp where you can also share your feedback.