Orange360 is set to be given a six-month extension as the official tourism body for the Orange, Blayney and Cabonne council areas.
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The extension, costing about $208,000 will enable Orange360 to continue operating while the councils draw up new tourism plans and a memo of understanding on how they want tourism promotion to occur.
A staff report to Tuesday's Orange council meeting said the contract was due to expire at the end of this year.
The Orange360 region visitor economy is worth more $300 million annually
- Report to Orange council
"An extension of the current tourism service contract through to June 30, 2022, will support the finalisation and adoption of the MOU and the delivery of Destination Management Plans," it said.
"It will also enable Orange 360 to continue destination marketing, training and development, and in-region event support to manage the impact of, and recovery from, COVID.
"The extensions also aligns with the next term of council, where the new tourism services contract would be considered.
"The Orange360 region visitor economy is worth more $300 million annually and employs more than 6000 local residents."
It said 260 tourism businesses and operators in the region were members of Orange360.
The report said Orange360 had played a vital role in bringing tourists to Orange last year after the lockdown of Sydney residents was lifted.
"According to Tourism Research Australia for year-end December 2020, our domestic visitor nights were down just one per cent on the previous year," it said.
"By comparison the Bathurst region was down 48 per cent, Dubbo lost 22 per cent and Blue Mountains was down 33 per cent.
"During this period Orange360 has continued to grow membership."
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