A TSUNAMI fundraising effort that began with an extra Leeuwin Concert has turned into a whole of tourism industry undertaking with hotels, tour operators, restaurants and wineries joining the cause.
Leeuwin asked Sting to perform an extra concert on February 10 as a benefit to raise money to help victims of the disaster.’
The artist, formerly known as Gordon Sumner, agreed to the extra performance and work began to develop special packages to attract people from London, LA, Bali, New Zealand and Brunei to the Margaret River winery.
The Tourism Council of WA has coordinated packages involving members of the Wine Industry Association, the Australian Hotels Association and the Catering Institute of WA, which will be auctioned on eBay.
Airlines such as Qantas, Emirates, Royal Brunei, Air Paradise and others have provided tickets. The Hyatt, Burswood and other hotels have provided the accommodation and Budget has donated several car hire packages.
National Jet System has also made two of its aircraft available to fly groups in and out from Perth and Kalgoorlie.
Many Margaret River accommodation providers have also chipped in.
Money raised from the Sting – Leeuwin Estate Tsunami Benefit Concert will be matched dollar for dollar by the WA Government and distributed to registered Australian charities working in the area.