Dear Sapphire Coast Tourism Members,

Changes to the NSW Government’s management of regional tourism

On 6 July the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, Stuart Ayres, announced a regional tourism initiative that will replace Regional Tourism Organisations.

In summary the initiative includes:

• The creation of six ‘Destination Networks (DN)’ Riverina Murray, Southern NSW (including the Snowy Mountains and Far South Coast), North Coast, Country and Outback NSW, Sydney Surrounds North (including The Blue Mountains, Central Coast and the Hunter), and Sydney Surrounds South (including Southern Highlands and Wollongong and Shoalhaven).
• The management of DNs by appointed Boards.
• Guaranteed operation funding for each DN.
• Increased levels of regional funding via the RVEF contestable program and a more streamlined RVEF contestable application process.
• Increased Regional Flagship Events funding

Sapphire Coast will be included in the Southern NSW Destination Network.
More information is available here

It is with some regret our long standing relationship with the South Coast Regional Tourism Organisation comes to an end, particularly following the success of the recent 'Unspoilt' marketing program.

The new DNN initiative however has considerable promise for local tourism. It provides for logical partnerships serving our distinctive markets, allows for the opportunity for close coordination in the development of visitor experiences associated with our brand, and allows for a regional approach to the development of outstanding nature based touring experiences associated with the Sydney-Melbourne Touring Route and international visitors using Canberra Airport.

A southern regional approach will allow us to continue our close working relationship with adjacent local government area of Eurobodalla and East Gippsland and develop an equally close relationship with the new Snowy Monaro Regional Council.

For Sapphire Coast Tourism and tourism in the Bega Valley it will be business as usual with existing partnerships and strategies remaining critical to our tourism future and also the interests of the new Destination Network.

Local representation on the Southern DN Board is very important. Interested persons should access the material described below and respond accordingly.

Applications for the position of DN Chairs and Directors is invited, see HERE Applications close on 31 July 2016.

Bruce Leaver
Chair
Sapphire Coast Tourism
10 July 2016