Wagga Wagga, Junee and Coolamon will look to show off their natural and man-made attractions to more than 250 NSW local government delegates as part of the NSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference in 2024. Photo: Visit Wagga Wagga.
Wagga Wagga City Council, Junee Shire Council and Coolamon Shire Council’s joint application to host the Local Government NSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference in 2024 has been successful.
About 250 delegates from across NSW will visit the three councils across three days in May next year to discuss key insights into what drives the visitor/tourism economy around the state.
“Having this conference held in the city is a great opportunity for our region and wider NSW to come together to share innovative and new ideas, deep dive into contemporary challenges and showcase our successes as a leading regional tourism destination,” Wagga Wagga Mayor Dallas Tout said.
“Not only will our city be the main host of the event, but we are also working with our neighbours Junee and Coolamon shires to showcase a selection of what our wider region has to offer and demonstrate how successful partnerships can be created.
“These partnerships are incredibly important for tourism, especially in regional areas, where collaboration offers more for visitors to experience.
“Our vibrant and thriving region offers beautiful natural landscapes, trails and waterways, arts and culture, incredible locally grown and made produce, as well as a diverse calendar of events to keep visitors coming back year-round.”
Cr Tout said the joint conference bid between the three councils was an indication of the tight-knit community that he and his fellow councillors from all three LGAs could continue to build.
“It just states upfront that as a region, there is regional collaboration, we can work together,” Cr Tout said.
“We each have our own identities and our own autonomy, but as a region we have to pull together whether it’s tourism and visitor economy like this is or economic development or traffic or any area of local government, you cannot beat regional collaboration.”
Coolamon Shire Mayor David McCann is enthusiastic about NSW delegates having the opportunity to see and appreciate everything that the three councils have to offer visitors while also presenting economic and tourism related ideas and discussions.
“This is a fantastic announcement that will grow awareness of our wonderful region. It gives us an opportunity to highlight our local attractions, experiences, and operators.”
Despite the announcement and the growing number of events in Wagga Wagga and surrounds, many residents and tourists have expressed their concerns in relation to available accommodation.
“We’re continually working with industry to get as many motels or old-style accommodation in the area as we can,” Cr Tout said.
“There are a couple that are approved that haven’t opened yet, but there’s also Airbnb which is a growing thing. There’s probably three [hundred] to 400 Airbnb listings around.
“I’ve talked to people who’ve come from a fair distance away and are staying in Coolamon or staying in Ganmain or staying in Junee, people are willing to spend that extra day in the region and stay a bit further out of town.”
The conference will be held from Tuesday 28 May to Thursday 30 May 2024.
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