The Central Highlands Tourism Development Officer has been on a mission to put the region front-of-mind for thousands of Sydneysiders.

Peter Grigg operated a Central Highlands promotional stand at this month’s NSW Caravan, Camping and Holiday Supershow, an annual event that attracts about 80,000 people to Sydney’s Rosehill Racecourse.

Together with volunteers from Gemfest – Festival of Gems, Mr Grigg spent eight days spruiking our region’s natural wonders the Sandstone Wilderness and Sapphire Country.

“This was a golden opportunity to speak one-on-one to thousands of grey nomads and other road trippers as they plan their adventures across Australia and get them thinking about including the Central Highlands on their itineraries,” he explains.

“Many southerners still aren’t quite sure where the Central Highlands is located so it was our job to point them in the right direction and convince them it’s well worth the trip.”

The event was also a chance to launch the Central Highlands’ new 101 Things to See and Do fold-out brochure, which features special offers and incentives from more than 50 local businesses to encourage visitors to stay longer and spend more.

Mr Grigg says the Supershow was a success.

“It was an absolute pleasure chatting with so many friendly faces who are excited about hitting the road and genuinely interested in finding out more about our special part of the world,” he says.

“We know from attending the Supershow in previous years that this kind of personal contact is incredibly effective in drawing more visitors to the Central Highlands.”

Mr Grigg and the Gemfest team’s next road trip will be to the Queensland Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow on 8 – 13 June at Brisbane Showgrounds.

“The Sydney and Brisbane events really hit the target for us because the drive market is key to the Central Highlands’ tourism industry and 54 per cent of our visitors originate from Queensland and New South Wales.”

Attendance at the Supershows is in line with the Central Highlands Marketing Strategy, which puts drive travellers as a primary target market.

The Strategy shows close to 223,000 domestic overnight self-drive travellers visited the Central Highlands in the year to March 2014 and this market is increasing annually at a rate of 3.1 per cent.

The NSW Caravan, Camping and Holiday Supershow ran from from 9 – 17 April and was organised by the Caravan and Camping Industry Association of NSW.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Please contact Peter Grigg 0499 420360 or tourism@chdc.com.au for further information.