More than 180 delegates will arrive in the Orange region this week for the Local Government NSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference.
The conference is sponsored by the NSW Government and Destination NSW and co-hosted by Blayney Shire, Cabonne and Orange Councils. The three-day conference starts on Tuesday, 17 May 2022, and carries the theme 'Dare to Dream'. The 180 delegates are expected to inject
approximately $250,000 into the local economy.
VISITORS: The region's tourism industry is in the spotlight this week at a major conference.
Orange Mayor, Jason Hamling said the conference was a coup for the region, injected visitation dollars into the economy, and was an opportunity to share ideas and make sure tourism continued to adapt in a changing world.
"From 2015 to 2019 our tourism industry almost doubled from 773,000 visitors to 1.3 million visitors. The average length of stay also increased and is now 3.5 nights. We have been very successful in putting the Orange region on the map," Cr Hamling said.
"COVID-19 has opened some metro eyes to the regions. What that might look like in 10 years time is an open question. At this conference with some very bright people from the visitor economy frontline we will get some insights over the next couple of days."
Blayney Shire Mayor, Scott Ferguson said the region had a great tourism product and securing the conference was recognition of that.
"We also have Orange, Cabonne and Blayney councils working together to support Orange360 and that has been central to the success of this region. The three council areas all have varying qualities and characteristics but as a whole we deliver a unique offering, villages and towns, a city, wide open spaces, natural beauty and heritage," Cr Ferguson said.
Cabonne Council Mayor, Kevin Beatty said visitation was now worth more than $377 million annually to the Blayney/Cabonne/Orange region.
"The hospitality (accommodation and food services) sector now makes up between 6-7 per cent of the regional workforce. It is important that all businesses across our region understand their role in supporting tourism - an important pillar in boosting our economy. This
conference is an opportunity to make sure we are at the forefront of change and opportunity," Cr Beatty said.
Conference topics include the future of the electric vehicle network, using 'Influencers' to drive promotion and demand and supply in the accommodation sector.
The keynote presenters are:
- Professor Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, Institute for Public Policy and Governance, University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and
- Professor Carol Mills, Director, Institute of Public Policy and Governance at UTS.
The conference incudes site visits including the Orange FutureCity CBD upgrade works, Millthorpe and its role in regional visitation, Manildra Flour Mill and Pioneer Brewing, and Molong and Nashdale Lane Winery . The conference gala dinner will be held at the Australian National Field Days site, which will showcase the best of the region's local produce and entertainment.
