NSW TRIUMPHS AT QANTAS AUSTRALIAN
TOURISM AWARDSNSW visitor economy businesses were honoured at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards on 15 March 2024, with a total of seven NSW operators recognised. Three NSW visitor economy operators brought home gold trophies in their categories. The Gold trophy in the Major Tourist Attractions category was awarded to the Australian Reptile Park on the Central Coast, The Tweed Tourism Company won Gold in the Tourism Marketing & Campaigns category and Love Lord Howe took out Gold in the Excellence in Food Tourism category. Pictured (clockwise from top left): Australian Reptile Park, The Tweed Tourism Company, Love Lord Howe.
Silver medals were awarded to Potager for Tourism Restaurant & Catering Services and Sydney by Kayak for Ecotourism. Bronze medals were awarded to Balloon Aloft Australia for Adventure Tourism and Tumbafest for Festivals & Events. Hosted by the Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATIC), the ceremony celebrated the outstanding achievements of individuals and businesses across the visitor economy, with 23 NSW operators from Tweed Heads to Tumbarumba among the finalists.
DESTINATION NSW PUTS THE FOCUS ON INDIA Destination NSW is hosting its annual Focus On India trade event from 18-24 March 2024, giving NSW visitor economy suppliers the opportunity to meet with key online travel agents, wholesale and retail travel agencies from India. According to the latest Tourism Research Australia data, NSW has become Australia’s top destination for visitors from India. In the year ending September 2023, NSW welcomed 183,400 visitors from India who stayed more than seven million nights and injected more than $488 million into the state’s visitor economy.
A highlight of the Focus on India program was a one-day workshop held on 20 March 2024, featuring one-on-one appointments that aimed to increase engagement, strengthen existing relationships and build new relationships between Indian travel distributors and NSW visitor economy stakeholders. The workshop was held at the Sydney Cricket Ground and included a tour of the venue. A welcome dinner followed at the Yallamundi Rooms at Sydney Opera House, which was attended by the Minister for Tourism John Graham. Mr Graham said: "Focus on India is important because it's building on key relationships with India and it's building on strength. We already have 350,000 Indian-born residents of NSW - that's a strong and growing
relationship." Pre-and post-workshop familiarisation visits are also taking place in Sydney and regional NSW including the Blue Mountains, Port Stephens, South Coast, Southern Highlands and the Hunter Valley.
Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox said: "We look forward to welcoming many more Indian guests to NSW and to working collaboratively with industry to ensure that the experience they have here keeps them coming back for more. "India is one of our fastest growing inbound visitor markets with enormous potential for growth. My thanks to our team in India who are doing a wonderful job in helping connect travellers to the full range of experiences available right here in NSW."
PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AT
BUSINESS EVENTS NSW SHOWCASE EVENTDestination NSW is inviting regional NSW stakeholders to create immersive and sensory experiences at its upcoming Business Events NSW Showcase. Business Events NSW recently launched new ‘Corporate events that feel anything but’ messaging, which aligns to the ‘Feel New’ visitor brand. The messaging aims to position regional NSW as the premier destination for unique, tailor-made experiences that spark a genuine connection among delegates.
The Business Events NSW Showcase will bring the 'Corporate events that feel anything but' messaging to life at Sydney’s Collider event space on 15 May 2024. It will connect regional NSW businesses with Sydney-based corporate, association, government and professional conference organisation buyers. Business event visitors generate $401 per night in overnight visitor expenditure within regional NSW, which is 120 per cent higher than leisure guests, with an average stay of 2.6 nights per event. Partnering with Destination NSW at the Business Events NSW Showcase is an opportunity to generate business event leads and raise buyer consideration for products, services or regions. There
are a range of different partnership opportunities available for the Business Events NSW Showcase, each with specific selection criteria and inclusions.
JOIN OUR VISITOR EXPERIENCE WORKSHOPSDestination NSW will present a series of experience development workshops for visitor economy businesses around NSW in 2024. Delivered under the capability-focused NSW First Program, these free, full-day workshops are designed to assist businesses including tour, attraction and accommodation providers to create and refine experiences that meet visitor needs and showcase the strengths of NSW. The workshops will look at the foundations of creating great, bookable visitor experiences and delve into focus areas such as agritourism, nature, culinary and wellness experiences. The first two experience development workshops will be held in Tamworth (9 April)
and Moree (11 April).
DESTINATION NSW HOSTS CRUISE WORKSHOPSJoin Destination NSW and a panel of cruise industry experts to learn more about the cruise opportunity at your destination and how to make the most of it. The Cruise Ready Workshop will suit visitor economy businesses, including tours and activities, visitor attractions, wineries, distilleries, breweries and farm gates that offer bookable experiences that are located in or near NSW cruise ports. Topics will include learning about the cruise distribution network, markets and demographics, how to create amazing cruise shore excursions and Destination NSW cruise resources and support. Our next 2024 workshops will be held in Eden (4 April), Newcastle (12
June) and Sydney (3 July).
APPLY NOW: REGIONAL EVENT FUNDEvents and experiences across the state will be supercharged with Destination NSW announcing an injection of $1.5 million through the Regional Event Fund for regional events held in the 2024/25 financial year. Since its establishment, the Regional Event Fund has distributed over $14 million to more than 450 events, including the Deni Ute Muster, Parkes Elvis Festival and Tamworth Country Music Festival, which have grown to become bucket list experiences and key drivers of visitation to regional NSW. Applications for the Incubator and Flagship Event Funds close on 9 April 2024.
WOMBEYAN CAVES REOPENSVisitors can rediscover Wombeyan Caves near Goulburn, with the visitor precinct reopening after upgrades by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). As part of the site’s $9.6 million revitalisation funded through the NSW Government’s Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund, visitors can enjoy a new accessible viewing platform at Victoria Arch, a visitor centre, kiosk and picnic area, upgrades to camping amenities and improved road access and parking. Wombeyan Karst Conservation Reserve is home to ancient rock formations dating back more than 430 million years.
NEW RECORDING AND TOURING GRANTSMusicians and artists are set to receive a boost under the NSW Government with the opening of grants focused on rebuilding the NSW touring circuit. Sound NSW’s new Touring and Travel Fund and Recording and Promotion Grants will inject $3 million into the local contemporary music sector to deliver more new and original music, enable touring opportunities and professional development. The programs support NSW artists to be globally competitive, develop industry networks and connect with new audiences.
GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS SPILLS ONTO THE STREETSNewcastle and Sydney’s Hollywood Quarter will steal the spotlight on the final weekend of Great Southern Nights. Newcastle is gearing up to host a free street party on 23-24 March 2024, while the Hollywood Quarter precinct in Surry Hills will feature a free Gig Trail from midday on 23 March. Destination NSW is proud to have partnered with ARIA on Great Southern Nights, which has brought more than 300 gigs to entertainment precincts ranging from Wagga Wagga to Wollongong and Western Sydney to the Northern Rivers.
WEST SIDE STORY RETURNS TO SYDNEY HARBOUROpera Australia’s West Side Story is returning to the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour stage from 22 March to 21 April 2024. The inaugural season of West Side Story remains the most successful of all Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour productions, selling more than 65,000 tickets in 2019. Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour combines views of Sydney’s skyline with nightly fireworks displays, making it one of world’s most exciting theatrical experiences. It is supported proudly by Destination NSW.
FIRST NATIONS TOURISM MENTORINGFirst Nations visitor economy businesses can access free, one-on-one mentoring via the First Nations Tourism Mentoring Program. Since its launch in July 2023, the program has helped more than 100 businesses across Australia. It supports them to grow and achieve their goals by connecting them with experienced and culturally respectful industry specialists who can provide guidance, advice and support. The program, which is supported by the Australian Government, will run until 30 June 2025.
THE BEST BEACH IN THE SOUTH PACIFICManly Beach has secured the number one position in TripAdvisor's 2024 Travelers' Choice Awards for Best Beaches in the South Pacific. The awards celebrate excellence in travel and highlight destinations that receive a high volume of positive reviews from the TripAdvisor community over a 12-month period. TripAdvisor said Manly Beach came out on top because it is “at the centre of everything—literally”.
SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW OPENSAustralia’s biggest annual ticketed event, the Sydney Royal Easter Show, will be held at Sydney Olympic Park from 22 March to 2 April 2024. The iconic event is supported proudly by Destination NSW and attracts more than 820,000 people to Western Sydney each year. The event and associated activities of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW generate more than $617 million towards the NSW economy each year.
DUAL ABORIGINAL NAMES IN BYRON BAYThe NSW Geographical Names Board has approved a submission from the National Parks and Wildlife Service to officially dual-name Cape Byron as Walgun and Julian Rocks as Nguthungulli, while a reserve in Bangalow has been named Piccabeen Park. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said: “The Arakwal and other Bundjalung people have had unbroken connections to these places through Story, kinship and Language since the first sunrise. It is only right to honour that history and that connection through names that bring Story and Language to life for all Australians to enjoy.”
FOUR NEW INNER WEST ENTERTAINMENT HUBSFollowing the success of Sydney’s first Special Entertainment Precinct at Enmore Road, Inner West Council is proposing four more precincts for Darling Street in Balmain/Rozelle, Marrickville Road in Marrickville, Marrickville Road in Dulwich Hill and Norton Street in Leichhardt. The precincts are designed to create more opportunities for performing artists as well as boosting local businesses and adding to the vibrancy of neighbourhoods. Community consultation on the proposed precincts has now commenced, with venues, businesses, artists and community members able to have their say.
SEAL PUP BORN AT COFFS WILDLIFE SANTUARY Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary is celebrating International Day of the Seal with the announcement that a male seal pup has been born as part of its endangered species management program. Arriving in early February, the yet-to-be-named seal pup marks a significant milestone for the facility's commitment to the preservation of marine life, particularly the endangered Australian Sea Lion species. The seal pup’s name will be decided via poll on the sanctuary’s Facebook page.
EASTER TRAVEL TOOLKIT RELEASEDTransport for NSW has released information for safe travel during Easter and the autumn school holiday period. A digital toolkit has been developed to streamline communication for visitor economy stakeholders. This toolkit will assist them in reaching members, industry partners, travellers seeking information at visitor information centers and guests visiting destinations. There are tips and tools that can be shared via websites, newsletters and social media channels to ensure visitors spend less time in traffic.
POWERHOUSE CASTLE HILL OPENING CELEBRATIONS Powerhouse Castle Hill officially opens this weekend. The venue includes state-of-the-art facilities for storage, care, research and viewing, as well as spaces for education, public programs, workshops, talks and events. The opening weekend will feature the premiere of the first major exhibition in the building, Alchemy, with commissions by First Nations creative practitioners of natural dyeing techniques. Throughout the weekend, there will also be free tours, exhibitions, workshops and performances.
TOURISM JOBS: DECEMBER 2023Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows there were 655,400 tourism jobs in the December 2023 quarter. This was 4800 less jobs than the September 2023 quarter, 8000 more jobs than the December 2022 quarter and 94,600 less jobs than the December 2019 quarter. In the December 2023 quarter the sector accounted for one in 24 filled jobs in the economy. Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services saw a decrease of 15,200 jobs, while education and training saw an increase of 8300 jobs.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS MAJOR WORK POWERS AHEAD AT SYDNEY CBD'S NEW METRO STATION: An estimated 30 per cent of excavation work has been complete on Sydney Metro West’s Hunter St Station. Learn more REGIONAL EVENT MANAGEMENT TRAINING PROGRAM:
Registrations are open for rEVENTS Academy’s 2024 intake for its seven-week online learning program. Learn more REVIEW FOR NSW TAXI INDUSTRY: New measures are being launched to support the NSW taxi industry, including options for a centralised database to help taxi service providers identify and regulate drivers. Learn more NSW WINE CELLAR DOOR
EVENT: The Rocks Markets is partnering with the NSW Wine Industry Association to present a NSW Wine Cellar Door event on 23-24 March 2024 at Dawes Point Park. Learn more NEW SYDNEY WATERFRONT PRECINCT PERFORMANCE FEBRUARY 2024: Sydney’s Western Harbour received 7.6 million visits, down three per cent on January 2024. Visitation was up 11 per cent year-on-year and six per cent ahead of February 2019. Learn more NSW GOVERNMENT TO BEGIN PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS ON COMPULSORY LAND ACQUISITIONS REVIEW: In-person public consultation sessions will take place in Nowra, Singleton, Dubbo, Coffs Harbour, Armidale, Parramatta and Wagga Wagga, with two online sessions also scheduled to take place in April. Learn more $100 MILLION TO INCREASE BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION: The NSW Government is strengthening protection for koalas while helping
deliver housing in Western and South Western Sydney, by enhancing the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan. Learn more SAVING THE BOOROOLONG FROG: Last month, 656 juvenile Booroolong Frogs were released into the Cockburn River catchment near Tamworth to help boost numbers in the NSW Northern Slopes and Tablelands. Learn more FIRST PLATYPUS TRANSLOCATION IN
NSW RESULTS IN BREEDING SUCCESS: A juvenile platypus has been discovered in the Royal National Park, less than a year after 10 platypuses were returned after being locally extinct for more than 50 years. Learn more
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