DNC Industry Development Projects
Destination North Coast (DNC) works with visitor economy stakeholders to drive, coordinate, and support the sustainable management and development of tourism across the region. We focus on building industry capability, facilitating experience and product development and influencing decisions on important infrastructure and developments that will support the growth of the North Coast visitor economy.
To keep up to date on Projects that support growth of the North Coast visitor economy, subscribe to DNC’s industry e-newsletter.
Project Summary (Or Scroll Down)
Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grant
Recovery For Regional Tourism Grant
Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery Grant
North Coast Flavour Trails Project
Via a Grant provided under the Regional Tourism Bushfire Recovery (RTBR) Grants, Destination North Coast is developing a ‘virtual’ North Coast Food & Beverage Trail platform. This initiative is aimed at providing a consumer centric, dynamic packaging tool that will increase exposure of food, beverage and agri-tourism products and the consumer’s ability to identify and visit such product.
The North Coast Flavour Trails platform project went live in November 2021. The overall user-experience and engagement of consumers with the platform will largely depend on the variety of food and beverage experiences and the quality of individual ATDW/Get Connected product listings available to populate the map. Operators looking to get involved with this exciting new distribution platform, should ensure they have an active ATDW listing and review, update and amplify it to the maximum extent allowed.
If you missed the North Coast Flavour Trails Project launch to industry webinars, you can review a recording here which includes a demonstration of the mapping platform.
Alternatively, watch the mapping platform video demonstration below.
Recovery For Regional Tourism Grant
The Australian Government Recovery for Regional Tourism Grant supports nine tourism regions which are heavily reliant on international tourism. The North Coast of NSW will receive up to $1,250,000 for projects aimed at creating and retaining jobs directly and indirectly related to tourism in the region and to drive interstate tourism, recognising that interstate tourism is only possible when borders are open. These projects have varying delivery dates but all must be completed by November 2022 in line with the funding agreement.
Digital Refresh Grant Program
The Digital Refresh Grant Program offers financial support to tourism businesses on the North Coast to either refresh an existing website or build a new one.
The program supports businesses to:
- Improve digital capabilities
- Improve online visibility and reach more potential customers
- Deliver an easy and seamless online booking process
- Access the latest digital technologies to increase productivity and competitiveness
Applications for this project have now closed
North Coast Commercial Accommodation Prospectus
Funding was allocated to deliver the North Coast Commercial Accommodation Prospectus and subsequent stakeholder engagement and mentoring. This project complements previously developed Future Demand and Accommodation Research and is aimed at finding investment-ready opportunities and supporting industry stakeholders to re-invest in their business or find suitable external investors to unlock potential opportunities.
Find more information and resources for investors and accommodation owners.
Northern Rivers Rail Trail Product & Experience Development Project
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail is a 132km recreational trail that follows the disused Casino to Murwillumbah railway corridor. The initial stages of the trail will open to visitors in 2022 /2023 in the Tweed and Richmond Valley Council Sections. It will follow the existing rail line providing visitors the opportunity to walk, cycle or ride and enjoy the scenery of the Northern Rivers.
The Northern Rivers Rail Trail Product & Experience Development Project aims to support businesses by accelerating business growth and development through an innovative and outcomes focused program that builds the knowledge and skills of Northern Rivers tourism businesses.
Interested stakeholders can find more information and get involved.
Business Accelerator & Mentoring Program
The Program is designed to support individual tourism businesses through dedicated one-on-one mentoring and flexible group learning options. Eligible businesses will have a dedicated and experienced business mentor to support them every step of the way.
The Program includes:
- Pathway learning with the flexibility of working on key areas or challenges in your business
- Up to 7-hrous of one-on-one mentoring support
- Flexible hours for mentoring sessions to work around running your business
- Online Group Webinar Series
- Program resources and guidance to put into action
- Peer support through a dedicated Facebook Group.
- Ongoing support from your mentor between sessions
Find Program information and register interest for consideration for the third intake of the Program.
Find Tools and Resources that have been developed as part of the Business Accelerator & Mentoring Program
North Coast Festival of Flavour
We’ve set NEW DATES for the North Coast Festival of Flavour (postponed due to extensive regional flooding) which will occur from the 3-5 June 2022. The festival will be an opportunity for North Coast food, beverage and agri-tourism businesses to open their doors and offer events, unique experiences and special deals to attract visitors.
The festival will be the official launch of the ‘North Coast Flavour Trails’ online platform via visitnsw.com. The online platform will be used to promote the festival and will allow visitors to use mapping technology to search for events and experiences and plan and book their own unique festival itinerary.
To be involved and featured on the platform businesses will need to load their food & drink related event or special deal listing in ATDW on the festival dates 3-5 June 2022. Check out the Information Flyer for more information.
Watch the North Coast Festival of Flavour Marketing Campaign webinar to see how to get involved and maximise the opportunity of the festival and marketing activity (noting festival dates are now 3-5 June 2022).
The Festival Toolkit has been created with useful tips and marketing resources for businesses to promote the festival and their event or special deal. This includes a promotional video, logos, posters and examples of copy that can be utilised on social media posts and other marketing platforms.
Please contact Event Coordinator Sherry Price for more information.
North Coast Business Events Reboot Incentive Fund
Funding was allocated to support securement of additional new Business Events and Conferences to the North Coast and for the team to run a Business Events buyer familiarisation program and two roadshows into our key markets.
This Project is closed.
North Coast Tourism Symposiums
The annual North Coast Tourism Symposium is an industry forum bringing together key regional stakeholders to discuss and consider issues, challenges and opportunities impacting tourism across the North Coast.
Funding has been allocated to extend the program and improve the calibre of the across the two years of the funding period. This would be achieved through raising the calibre of speakers and content so as to stimulate attendance and thus, economic impact to the host region.