13 June 2022

Growing visitors to the region surpass pre-pandemic rates

| Shri Gayathirie Rajen
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Wagga Wagga visitors guide

The 2021/22 Wagga Wagga Visitor Guide. Photo: Wagga City Council.

Wagga and the surrounding areas are slowly welcoming the return of visitors.

Wagga City Council reports visitation numbers for the city are now exceeding pre-pandemic rates.

The council encourages local tourism businesses and organisations to sign up for the Wagga Wagga Tourism Partner Program for 2022/23.

The region’s initiative to further visitation numbers officially opened on Wednesday (8 June).

The program’s mission is to promote and build on the region’s natural and cultural assets and experiences to optimise tourism for the 1.38 million visitors to the city each year.

The tourism initiative is now in its seventh year providing collaborative opportunities for local enterprises to work with the council to strengthen and promote tourism.

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Acting destination and events coordinator Kimberly Parker partly credited the city’s rapid growth for welcoming more travellers to the region.

“Regional road tripping is booming and now is a great time to take up this opportunity to jump on board the program and make the most of this momentum,” she said.

“We are seeing more visitors in the area who are staying in Wagga Wagga, exploring our attractions and then extending their stay using our city as a base for exploration into our neighbouring regions,” Ms Parker said.

The council’s Visitor Economy and Events team is in the process of planning a calendar of marketing initiatives, industry events and networking opportunities based on the success of last year’s program.

Knights Deli managing director Deanna McNaughton has been part of the Tourism Program for several years.

“It gives us access to the latest local tourism and event initiatives, including excellent marketing opportunities to build our brand within Wagga Wagga and beyond,” she said.

“It also enables us to collaborate with other like-minded local businesses for the greater benefit of the region.”

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The Tourism Partner Program delivered a wide range of initiatives in 2021/22 including The Drive Way (a seven-part docuseries and major regional marketing campaign), A Very Wagga Christmas (retail gift guide, pop up stalls and Christmas video), digital and printed assets showcasing the attractions in the city and surrounds and industry events.

Applications for the Tourism Partner Program are open year-round. Businesses interested in being included in the 2022/23 Wagga Wagga + Surrounds Visitor Guide are encouraged to sign-up before 11 July to guarantee inclusion.

For further information or to apply, head to the Visit Wagga website.

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