Visitors to the Coffs Coast will be greeted by more locals than ever before with at least three new visitor centres open at popular visitor locations throughout Coffs Harbour.
“There’s nothing better than being greeted by a smiling, knowledgeable local if you’re somewhere new and want help with accommodation or activity ideas,” said Coffs Harbour Mayor, Councillor Denise Knight. “Going from one visitor information centre in Coffs Harbour itself to at least three at Dolphin Marine Magic, Park Beach Plaza and Coffs Central, places that already see a huge number of the visitors who come to the area every year, is going to be a real plus for tourism locally.
“In addition, we’ll be seeing the introduction of visitor hubs in more locations, as well as ‘ambassadors’ – staff in places like cafés, service stations, restaurants and driving taxis – who will be specially trained to provide free, helpful advice for visitors. Volunteers will also be staffing pop-up visitor centres at major events. It’s going to be fantastic.”
The changes follow the adoption by Council last year of a new, multi-faceted tourism strategy developed by the industry-led Destination Coffs Coast Committee (DCCC). The strategy endorsed a new direction in visitor information services making visitor information more easily accessible via different channels and in more locations.
Besides the extra visitor information centres, visitors can also call or email a large group bookings facility direct during business hours, plus use the Coffs Coast website, social media channels and ‘101 Things to Do’ App at any time to research activities and organise places to stay.
“What the Tourism Strategy has put in place is even more choice for visitors,” said Chris Chapman, Chair of the DCCC and Council’s Director Sustainable Communities. “It’s all about making the information accessible to visitors in as many ways and locations as possible. Visitor information centres like the new ones have existed in Woolgoolga and Sawtell for many years and have proved invaluable and popular with tourists.
“Coffs Central, Dolphin Marine Magic and Park Beach Plaza are already servicing visitors through their friendly and knowledgeable customer service and visitor teams. Council is working with these three and other interested tourism businesses to ensure their staff have up to date product knowledge, to add to their local knowledge. The door is also open to other businesses identified within the strategy, as well as others interested in the opportunity, to go down this path and there could be additional opportunities in the future.”
The new visitor information centres and online options are going to be extensively promoted to visitors through advertising, billboards, street signs and via Coffs Coast’s web and social media channels.
The new visitor services strategy officially begins on January 30.
