Touch screens, iPhone apps and a loyalty rewards program are among the first local projects to be funded under a $5 million State Government program to boost regional tourism.
Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Tourism (BMLOT) and Blue Mountains MP Roza Sage jointly announced seven projects had received the first stream of grants through the Regional Tourism Product Development Funding, worth a total of $250,000.
Mrs Sage handed over the cheque for $250,000 to the local industry body last October, $50,000 of which will be used to develop smart phone enabled, up-to-the-minute product offers for visitors to the Mountains including accommodation, cafes, restaurants and access to a loyalty rewards program for attractions.
This will be supported by touch screen booking tablets in high pedestrian traffic areas and the increased distribution of product information using QR codes, and will be implemented by Blue Mountains Accommodation and Tourism Association and the Blue Mountains Attractions Group.
Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC’s) ability to provide product information to visitors will also be expanded by embracing technology under a $20,000 grant to place touch screens in high pedestrian traffic areas, such as the Blue Mountains Visitor Information Centres, and QR codes for smart phone users.
A total of $35,000 has been earmarked for developing product content for 17 trail maps outlining operators and experiences across the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Trails, following the footprint of the World Heritage Area.
Experiences that are “export ready” for the international market — or accessible seven days a week — will be collated into a product brochure for inbound tour operators, wholesalers and booking agents.
BMLOT will also translate key content into Chinese, as China is now the third largest source market into NSW.
Another $35,000 has been dedicated to an extension of BMLOT’s Indigenous Tourism Development Program including supporting a Gundungurra Songlines Guided Interpretive Walk product and supporting a Darug Aboriginal Healing Circle product, working closely with TAFE Blue Mountains which has successfully implemented an Aboriginal Guiding Course.
The funding will help take Aboriginal tourism products from concept stage through to commercialisation, which will mean each will be able to receive bookings and serve visitors.
An online ticketing platform for regional festivals and events will be created, starting with the upcoming Roaring ’20s at Katoomba, under $20,000 worth of funding to be implemented by BMLOT.
Two other projects in Lithgow and Oberon will also be undertaken.
BMLOT chairman Randall Walker thanked local MPs and the government for the funding boost, which he said would lead to increased tourism visitation and expenditure.
“It is fabulous to see this election promise delivered upon by Premier Barry O’Farrell and Minister for Tourism George Souris,” he said.
“These projects are exciting for tourism operators but most importantly will enhance the experience of visitors to the region. New and enhanced products provide a reason for new visits, repeat visits and positive word of mouth promotion.”
Mrs Sage said the funding would enable the Mountains to enhance visitor experiences.
“These projects will help to attract more visitors to the area.”
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