Kempsey Shire Council and the Macleay Valley Coast Tourism Association (MVCTA) were set to launch a $100,000 campaign yesterday evening.
It is the biggest such promotion the council has embarked upon and aims to raise the Macleay’s profile as a destination.
A slogan “Macleay Valley Coast – Discover Something New” and fresh branding will highlight the campaign.
It has been jointly funded by the council, the Tourism Association and Destination NSW – with $35,000 each.
Trial Bay Gaol was to be the venue for the official launch of a revamped website, with 100 business operators among the guests.
Council’s Economic Sustainability manager Susannah Smith said tourism and agriculture had been identified as the two biggest growth sectors locally.
“The macleayvalleycoast.com.au website now paints a fantastic picture of what the community is here,” she said.
“As well as a lot of great new images from around the Macleay, and especially the hinterland, there are 10 ‘Local Legends’ featured.
“Each of them were asked what they love and are proud of most about the Valley and the coast.
“Their testimonials form an interesting part of the new site and paint a vivid picture of the many wonderful aspects there are to life and the community here.
“This campaign sends out a strong signal about how we want to progress.”
MVCTA secretary Danielle Cooney said she was very excited about the campaign and the association’s input, and said the website’s design would entice more people.
“It really highlights what we have to offer and will promote the wonderful assets we have on the coast and in the hinterland,” she said.
Ms Cooney said the build-up of the campaign had prompted renewed interest from the local business community, with MVCTA membership roughly doubling since the end of the 2012-13 financial year.
“It’s not just tourism operators,” she said.
“It’s also other owners, who recognise the positive impact tourism will bring to their businesses.”
Ms Smith announced there would be a new display advertisement to replace existing ones on highway billboards at Clybucca and Telegraph Point, as well as at three new sites at Taree, Grafton and Tamworth.
There are 40,000 ‘hard copy’ brochures, most of which will be displayed at visitor information centres in the Macleay and elsewhere in NSW. Many will be taken to trade shows, such as camping and caravanning shows.
Ms Smith said the campaign also involved the creation and distribution of ‘e-brochures’, which would be sent electronically four times a year to subscribers.
These will highlight seasonal events and attractions.
Thom Klein | The Macley Argus | 16th October 2013
