Blue Mountains News

Council trialled a Destination Ambassador Program over the peak Christmas/New Year period where Visitor Information Centre staff provided directions, advice and/or user-friendly maps to more than 6,000 domestic and international visitors as they exited and arrived at Katoomba Station.

Mayor Councillor Mark Greenhill said Council was also exploring other visitor information options for the busy tourism precinct, after the Destination Management Plan (endorsed by Council in August 2017) highlighted this as a priority project.

“Council is committed to finding an opportunity at, or near, Katoomba Station that will complement the upgraded Visitor Information Centre planned for Echo Point,” Cr Greenhill said.

“The way tourists and visitors seek information is changing, so we need to ensure we have the best combination of options in Katoomba.”

The Destination Management Plan recommended that visitor information services at, or near, Katoomba Station be improved within 3 years. An Industry Reference Group is currently meeting regularly, to assist in implementing actions outlined in the plan.

“The Blue Mountains is one of only a handful of leading international tourism brands within NSW,” Cr Greenhill said.

“The draft Destination Management Plan was developed to guide the sustainable investment, marketing and promotion of the Blue Mountains region as a desirable destination and to support visitor demand. Visitor growth must be sustainable and balanced with the needs of local residents. And getting the right combination of contemporary visitor information services at Katoomba, the peak tourism hub, is vital.”

Council is seeking feedback on the design and Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for the Echo Point Visitors Centre until Wednesday, 7 February. Go to the Blue Mountains have your say website to have your say.