Splendour supports more tourism for Byron

L to right back row: Mat Evans, Kim Rosen and John Gudgeon (from VIA Byron): Mat Morris, Jessica Decrou and Brandon Saul from (NBP/Splendour/Falls); Peter Wotton and Cameron Arnold (VIA). Front: Elise Huntley, Kim Dowling

Splendour in the Grass together with North Byron Parklands and Falls Festival have joined forces to become a collective foundation partner of VIA Byron, together contributing $20,000 to its coffers.

VIA Byron chair Cameron Arnold said the money would go towards the costs of employing the tourism organisation’s first co-ordinator.

Mr Arnold said at a launch at the Splendour site yesterday that local resident Renae Weller will take up the role, giving an added boost to the activities of the shire’s visitor industry association.

Ms Weller said, ‘VIA Byron recognises the integral role that our local festivals have in the Byron Shire tourism industry, so it is therefore very significant that these organisations have acknowledged the importance of a peak local tourism organisation such as VIA Byron to take on the strategic and leadership role for the local industry’.

The announcement is part of a corporate sponsorship program with industry leaders being invited to support the work that VIA Byron has been doing.

Among other activities in the pipeline is a tourism symposium, with a great lineup of speakers and panel discussions planned for next month.

Brandon Saul, spokesman for North Byron Parklands, Splendour, and Falls Festival said he was ‘thrilled to partner with VIA Byron’.

‘We are very keen to be part of a community of supporters of a well-managed visitor industry in Byron Shire. We want our festival patrons to be aware of all the amazing experiences on offer in the towns and villages around the shire and we can work together with VIA Byron to do that.

‘We are excited that we can assist by funding the engagement of a part-time co-ordinator for the next year. We’d love other tourism businesses to join us and come on board and get behind this great organisation,’ he said.

The Splendour group joins existing sponsors Eagle Insurance Brokers and Juno Energy.

Mr Arnold said other tourism businesses could support VIA Byron by attending the functions and workshops planned for the coming year or by becoming a corporate sponsor.

Splendour supports more tourism for Byron