Hundreds of people from across the NSW will visit the region next year to plan new directions in tourism at an annual conference.
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Orange mayor Reg Kidd welcomed the decision to award next year's Destination and Visitor Economy Conference to the Orange, Blayney and Cabonne regiosn.
Cr Kidd said the decision to host the event, which is run by Local Government NSW, in Orange came down to strong collaboration between the three councils.
"Tourism staff from Orange, Blayney and Cabonne already work closely together to market the region to visitors," Cr Kidd said.
"They know how co-operating between neighbouring districts helps to deliver the bounce-back we all need, whether it's drought, bushfire and now COVID.
"We put together a proposal based on a prospective busy, three-day program, with all the visitor highlights that our region has to offer. It's a pitch that's clearly caught the judges' eye."
Cr Kidd said next year's tourism conference program will feature several premier venues and a variety of tourism experiences.
"We'll be setting a date that suits our climate, and now the decision's been made, planning can begin in earnest," Cr Kidd said.
Blayney Shire Council mayor Scott Ferguson said he was pleased his region would have an opportunity to be involved in the conference and being able to showcase everything it the shire has to offer visitors at next year's event.
"I am confident participants at the conference are going to have a memorable stay and I thank Local Government NSW for the opportunity to host it," Mr Ferguson said.
Cabonne Council mayor Kevin Beatty agreed, and said it was a rewarding outcome for the efforts of putting the combined bid in.
"It was a great experience working with Blayney and Orange councils, and I am looking forward to making next year's conference an event to remember," Mr Beatty said.
Orange was runner-up in the NSW Top Tourism Town Award, announced at this year's conference and visitor numbers were the best in NSW after the COVID travel restrictions we lifted in July last year.
According to data from Tourism Research Australia, September last year was one of the busiest on record for the region.
An estimated 177,000 visitors stayed in Orange, Blayney and Cabonne for about 475,000 nights during that period.
That was an increase of 111 per cent compared to the same period the previous year.
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