Hall packed for networking meeting

The Sea Scout Hall at Lions Park Woy Woy was packed when the Tourism Central Coast held its first networking meeting of the year on February 21.

Local business owners heard from Central Coast Tourism director Mr Russell Mills, who urged them to take advantage of the free promotional service on visistcentralcoast.com.au where businesses can upload information to attract tourists.

The website, with the tagline Have a Little Adventure, promotes the Central Coast as just over an hour from Sydney.

Mr Mills said there were 800 to 900 businesses on the database that could upload information to the website.

"We're here to help you,'' he said.

He also pointed them to TourismCentralCoast.com where they could find information about how to win grant funds and tourism awards.

Marine biologist Mr James Brown from Pearls of Australia spoke to the group, explaining his business which stretches from Cygnet Bay 200kms north of Broome to Mooney Mooney, Woy Woy and Brisbane Water.

He talked about the "Shellar Door" - replicating the wine model and being passionate about the traceability of pearls.

"Most gemstones are bleached and coloured.

"We're trying to tackle those issues,'' he said.

Tourism Central Coast's March industry networking event will be held on the morning of Wednesday, March 20, in Long Jetty.

The meeting will focus on State Government and Central Coast Council funding opportunities available to existing and new tourism businesses.

Grant funding of between $15,000 and $500,000 is available for eligible tourism development and marketing projects.

SOURCE

Meeting, 21 Feb 2019

Russell Mills, Central Coast Tourism