Local tourism season launched

The local tourism season was officially launched at a 7.30am meeting of supporters of Peninsula Tourism Partners at Ettalong Diggers Club on Wednesday, August 14.

More than 30 business people turned up to listen to five speakers and to network.

Partners spokesperson Ms Kim Cole, from Ettalong Diggers Visitor Information Centre, spoke about the privilege of living, working and playing on the Peninsula and urged listeners to connect with the partners.

She said Peninsula Tourism Partners was a small non-profit organisation and consisted of a group of three people who hoped to attract more members to create a calendar of monthly events for not only Ettalong but also Umina and Woy Woy.

Ms Cole mentioned the Red Carpet Day, coming up on Sunday, September 15.

Now in its fourth year, the day would this year include Holdens in the car show which started with just 20 Studebakers in the Diggers car park.

Mr Reda Haddadeh, senior business advisor with The Business Centre, explained the support his centre could give local businesses, including mentoring, workshops, training and online learning.

Programs subsidised by the Federal Government were available through The Business Centre, he said.

Ms Michelle Silberman from Tourism Central Coast said her job was to help businesses to sell the Central Coast to people and to change perceptions.

She said official March figures from a vistors' survey done independently showed the tourism dollar spend on the Coast had grown 22 per cent on last year.

"We can profile your business on visitcentralcoast.com.au. It is very simple and you get your own password and manage your own profile,'' she said.

"I am your contact on the Coast. Tourism Central Coast will do lots of free things for you."

The next two speakers, Mr Juan Loco and Ms Glitta Supernova from the Naughty Noodle Fun Haus, spoke about the power of the "pink dollar".

"We are a 12-months-old arts and counter culture venture working for a more welcoming and inclusive Central Coast,'' Mr Loco said.

The group was working towards Coastal Twist, an inclusive arts and culture festival, to be held on the Peninsula over three days from Friday, October 4, to Sunday, October 6.

Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch asked everyone to join her in cutting the ribbon to launch the local tourism season launch at the end of the breakfast meeting.

SOURCE:

Invitation, 29 Jul 2019

Liesl Tesch, Member for Gosford

Reporter/photographer: Merilyn Vale