A Million Reasons to Take a Break in Regional NSW

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SYDNEY, Australia, 18 July, 2012 /Medianet International=KYODO JBN/ --

    Now there's no excuse not to head out of the city and make tracks to the

country, coast, mountains or the outback for a holiday, with NSW Premier Barry

O'Farrell and Minister for Tourism and Major Events George Souris announcing

today (18 July) that $1 million in regional accommodation vouchers are up for

grabs for Sydneysiders.

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following Multimedia News Release:

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    The accommodation promotion underpins the unique tourism campaign rolling

out across the state, Destination NSW's 'Make Some Our Time' campaign, which

kicks off officially on 18 July and will run for four weeks until 12 August in

eight Westfield centres across NSW.

    In an Australian tourism first, the campaign will also use augmented

reality technology which will enable shoppers to 'interact' with NSW native

wildlife and inspire them to go and see the real thing.

    Mr O'Farrell said, "NSW features the most diverse regional areas of any

state in Australia: panoramic outback settings, magnificent World

Heritage-listed rainforests, stunning beaches, a winter wonderland in the Snowy

Mountains and exceptional wine regions. We want more people to take advantage

of all of this."

    Mr Souris noted, when launching the Destination NSW's 'Make Some Our Time'

campaign today in Sydney, that it will be the largest campaign of its type to

be seen in NSW and is set to drive tourism into every regional and rural corner

of the state.  

    "Time-poor Sydneysiders are the biggest takers of short breaks - this

innovative promotion will help them take advantage of the millions of

destinations NSW has for the perfect break. We all know we are meant to

recharge our batteries every now and again, and we always remember how good we

felt when we did.  This campaign makes it easy for people to do this," Mr

Souris said.

    Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase agreed that this was the biggest and

most innovative, integrated campaign ever to drive visitation to NSW's regional

areas, tackling head-on the issue of the perceived cost of accommodation being

a barrier when people are considering a short break.

    During the four-week campaign period, Destination NSW will give away $1

million in accommodation vouchers in eight Westfield centres in NSW (Bondi

Junction, Parramatta, Miranda, Chatswood, Penrith, Eastgardens, Burwood and

Sydney). For shoppers who spend $30 in any participating retailer in-centre,

they will receive a scratch card that could see them win $200 off any regional

accommodation booking over $400.

    Westfield Group Managing Director, Australia, USA and NZ, Robert Jordan

said with so many Sydneysiders visiting a Westfield each day, it was a perfect

match to give something back to shoppers and encourage them to visit regional

NSW.

    "Everyone deserves a break and it's wonderful that we can offer our

shoppers the chance to visit one of the many beautiful regional areas in NSW",

Mr Jordan said

    To redeem their voucher consumers will just need to log onto

www.visitnsw.com and pick from one of the approximately 650 accommodation

providers across NSW covering the Blue Mountains, South and North Coasts,

Country NSW, Outback NSW, Hunter, Lord Howe Island and Snowy Mountains.

    The ground-breaking augmented reality activation will be showcased at

Westfield Bondi Junction, Parramatta, Miranda and Chatswood, giving shoppers

the chance to spend time getting to know the 'locals' including pelicans,

dolphins, whales and kangaroos.

    The campaign will run from 18 July to 12 August with travel available up

until 30 November 2012. For more information go to www.visitnsw.com or

www.facebook.com/visitnsw.

    The augmented reality activation is at Westfield Bondi Junction,

Parramatta, Miranda and Chatswood from Thursday through Sunday starting on

Thursday 19 July, and running each week for four weeks.

    Augmented reality activation schedule (times differ at each centre):

    Week 1: Thursday, 19 July to Sunday, 22 July

    Week 2: Thursday, 26 July to Sunday, 29 July

    Week 3: Thursday, 2 August to Sunday, 5 August

    Week 4: Thursday, 9 August to Sunday, 12 August

    ENDS

    For further information, images, interviews or VNR please contact Liquid

Ideas:

    Joy Leaper:

    joyleaper@liquidideas.com.au

    +61 2 9667 4211

    +61 403 282 776

    Prue Semler: pruesemler@liquidideas.com.au

    02 9667 4211

    0404 099 967

    SOURCE: Destination NSW