Inland NSW secures funding for ‘Digital Revolution’

Inland NSW has been awarded funding of more than $800,000 over two years under the NSW Government’s Regional Visitor Economy Fund (RVEF), to be matched by partner organisations, for the development of a digital platform to improve the online experience of visitors to the Inland region and to promote a range of cross regional campaigns including visiting friends and relatives (VFR) activities, food and wine experiences and ‘touring routes and trails’ which highlight a range of themes (nature, history and heritage, arts and culture) across the broad Inland region.

Inland NSW CEO Graham Perry said it is imperative that technology becomes a core channel for the organisation to promote activities and experiences as an ever increasing share of people head online to research and book travel.

“As part of our objective of doubling overnight visitor expenditure to the Inland region by 2020, one of our key strategies needs to be improving the online experience people have when researching and booking our destinations,” said Mr Perry. “This has been reflected in each of our Destination Management Plans where consistent digital solutions are a key strategy.”

“Currently the approach that the industry presents to consumers is diverse and fragmented and we need to improve the overall digital customer experience across Inland NSW. While we have some excellent destination sites throughout Inland NSW, we need to assist those operators who have yet to take the plunge to do so and to provide a bookable website.

“It’s extremely important that we raise the bar right across the entire region in terms of the
digital experience we offer consumers. We need to present a one-stop shop of visually great content – both informative and bookable – that will motivate consumers to visit and experience what Inland NSW has to offer. Importantly, it must also provide a platform for our Visiting Friends and Relatives activities, and themed cross regional experiences such as food and wine, nature, history and heritage and arts and culture.

“Securing this government funding is a major step in bringing this strategy to life, but we’re also seeking industry stakeholder and partner involvement. This is a collaborative project that will build on the holistic Destination Appeal marketing campaigns we’re also running.”

The Regional Visitor Economy Fund (RVEF) is managed and administered by the NSW Government's tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.