Influencers soak up 'Whirlwind Weekend' in Busselton

Social media creators and influencers joined a special immersive ‘famil’ experience at the Busselton Jetty late last month, aimed at increasing regional visitation and showcasing the area’s weekend getaway opportunities.

Short for ‘familiarisation visit’, the series of planned stops offer media and trade professionals the chance to experience some of the highlights of a destination, which they can then share with their audiences.

The ‘Whirlwind Weekend in Busselton’ influencer campaign was supported by the City of Busselton through its Business Development, Events and Marketing Program.

The City was joined by Tourism WA, Australia’s South West, Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association and some 40 business providers across the South West to showcase the best of the region.

WA-based influencers and industry partners gathered at the Busselton Jetty Foreshore Precinct, where they shared their real-time experiences across social media platforms including Instagram and TikTok.

Mayor, Phill Cronin said contributions from local businesses, with significant combined social media reach, provided a unique marketing opportunity for local businesses.

“Social media influencers are a powerful marketing tool with the ability to shape opinions, drive trends and spark conversations,” he said.

“The weekend was a unique opportunity to capture a diverse audience and encourage visitation to the region outside peak periods.

“The campaign ticked all the boxes in terms of driving economic growth through increased visitation and enhanced brand visibility for many local businesses.”

The City has recently announced the latest successful recipients of Round 2 of its Economic Development and Marketing Grants funding, with a total of nine projects sharing in $128,050 from the City’s Commercial, Industrial and Holiday Home differential rate.

Funded projects include a digital South West Creative Directory; a Women in Business Networking Event Series; the ‘Art Beat’ youth mentorship program; a Connected Futures Hub; the activation and marketing of the South West Craft Beer Trails initiative; the Discover Busselton Walking Map; the Business Excellence Awards 2025; the Margaret River Wine Show and GoSHackathon2025 – WA’s biggest tech innovative event for regional young people.

Applications for future rounds of funding will be announced in the new financial year.

Application forms and guidelines are available at www.busselton.wa.gov.au/business/business-hub/support.aspx