The NSW Central Coast is set for increased visitation and a further boost to the local economy with new digital content to attract visitation to lesser-known areas of the region.

This grant funded project which begun in 2021, led by Central Coast Council’s Marketing and Tourism Section (Destination Central Coast), has enabled the development of multiple online content hubs on LoveCentralCoast.com that showcase and promote a diverse range of local tourism products, services and experiences to potential visitors – and aims to support the economic and social recovery of regional communities impacted by the bushfires of 2019-2020.

Council Director Community and Recreation Services, Melanie Smith said many of the Central Coast’s unique offerings and experiences are on display to attract people from Sydney, NSW and beyond.

“The newly launched content hubs on LoveCentralCoast.com offer locals and guests to the region the opportunity to explore areas of the Central Coast they may not be aware of. Some of which include hidden gems in the Hinterland, the wonders of our waterway network, the Coast’s fascinating UNESCO World Heritage listed walk, plus immersive art and cultural workshops, activities and events brimming across the region,” Ms Smith said.  

“The destination website’s new online hubs focus on key tourism themes affected by the bushfires and raises the profile of niche tourism products and experiences. This extends across areas such as Ecotourism and Nature tourism, Agritourism, Aboriginal tourism, self-guided trails, Destination weddings, sports events, and school excursions, providing inspirational content to explore where to stay, eat and drink and things to do on the Central Coast.

“Council collaborated with many local tourism operators, creatives and regional stakeholders including Darkinjung LALC, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Destination Sydney Surrounds North, and Destination NSW to develop the project, which also provided the opportunity to support local travel writers, photographers, videographers, talent agencies and web developers, mapping and specialist trail consultants. 

“The 14 new visitor information hubs on LoveCentralCoast.com are being actively promoted across multiple channels to raise the profile of a range of niche tourism products and experiences, which will directly impact the Central Coast visitor economy by driving off-peak visitation, in diverse locations across the region and promoting an increased length of stay.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said helping to enhance Central Coast Council’s online tourism promotion is an example of the NSW Government’s commitment to building stronger more resilient regional economies.

“This project is an example of the NSW Government supporting the long-term development of regional communities, ensuring they have the infrastructure and services needed to grow and thrive,” Ms Moriarty said.

“The NSW Government is backing community projects that will boost preparedness for future disasters, encourage economic recovery, aid tourism and bring people together.”

Council Administrator Rik Hart said this project is further developing the region’s tourism sector and is enabling an increase in yield from the Central Coast’s visitor economy for the benefit of local communities.

“I’m thankful to the Australian and NSW Governments for the funding that has enabled Council to deliver a tourism project which supports the recovery of the local community’s economy impacted by bushfires, and also provides multiple benefits for the wider community,” Mr Hart said. 

“The destination’s new digital hubs further confirm the Central Coast as a key region of growth in NSW and will continue to attract more sustainable visitation. This in turn increases local spending and jobs across the entire region, which generates opportunities, income and financial security for many in our community.”

The Destination Central Coast Tourism Content and Digital Product Development project has been funded under the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund, co-funded by the Australian and NSW Governments. 

Visit the Central Coast’s dedicated destination website LoveCentralCoast.com to explore the new content hubs.