TEN WORLD CUPS IN 10 YEARS FOR NSWIn a win for the people of NSW - and a huge boost for jobs and tourism - the NSW Government has announced plans to bid for 10 world cups in the next 10 years. Premier Gladys Berejiklian this week launched plans to attract some of the biggest sporting events in the world to NSW over the next decade, including the men’s and women’s Rugby World Cup, the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the ATP Tennis World Cup. “We want to attract the world’s best and biggest events right here in NSW,” Ms Berejiklian said. The Government will appoint an advisory committee, led by the man who brought the Olympics to Sydney, Rod McGeoch, to secure the world’s best sporting events in partnership with Destination NSW and the Office of Sport. “The benefits are not just for sports fans being able to see the best in the world, but for jobs and the economy as well – the 10 major events would inject at least $1 billion into the economy in visitor spend alone,” Ms Berejiklian said. Read the full announcement here.
ARIA AWARDS RETURN
TO SYDNEY UNTIL 2020The NSW Government has secured the ARIA Awards and ARIA Week exclusively for Sydney until 2020. Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said, “Broadcast nationally and into Asia, the ARIA Awards and ARIA Week showcase our Harbour City and its world class performance venues at their best, helping to attract visitors from across Australia and the world. “These iconic events will provide a significant boost to the State’s visitor economy while cementing Sydney’s reputation as the nation’s music capital and a leading creative services hub in the Asia Pacific.” ARIA Chief Executive Officer Dan Rosen said, “The ARIA Awards and
ARIA Week have become a global event and a great reflection of how our Aussie artists are conquering the world. We look forward to continuing to work with the NSW Government to further cement the ARIAs on the international music calendar." The 2018 ARIA Awards will be held on 28 November in Sydney and broadcast live on Nine. Visit www.ariaawards.com.au for more information. Image credit: ARIA/Sam McDonald
MASTERS OF MODERN ART FOR ART GALLERY OF NSW Significant works of the European modern masters are travelling to the Art Gallery of NSW from St Petersburg, for the Sydney International Art Series exhibition, Masters of Modern Art from the Hermitage. The 65 paintings include Monet’s Poppy field c1890; Cézanne’s Great pine near Aix, 1895/97 and Picasso’s Table in a Cafe, 1912. NSW Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said the exhibition is presented as part of the Sydney International Art Series, an annual event created by the NSW Government’s
tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. “The Sydney International Art Series is a major visitor drawcard for our State. Since its inception in 2010, the annual exhibitions at the Art Gallery of NSW and MCA have generated more than $134 million in overnight visitor expenditure for NSW and attracted more than 1.8 million attendees,” Mr Harwin said. Masters of Modern Art from the Hermitage will be at the Art Gallery of NSW from 13 October, 2018 until 3 March, 2019. Visit www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au for more information.
REGISTER FOR TOURISM MANAGER FORUMS Registrations are now open for Destination NSW’s Tourism Manager Forums, a half-day Tourism Manager Forum for local government tourism teams, Local Tourism Associations and destination marketers. The forum provides an overview of how Destination NSW supports regional tourism development and the opportunities available for the tourism industry in regional NSW. Find out how to tap into support for tourism businesses across the State to develop, promote and sell regional visitor experiences, hear about the Regional Tourism Fund and the Regional Flagship
Events Program and find out what makes a successful funding application. Workshops will be held in Port Macquarie, Griffith, Newcastle, Dubbo, Yass, Kingscliff and Jervis Bay.
For dates, to subscribe for updates or to view the full workshop calendar, visit destinationnsw.com.au/nswfirst.
AUSTRALIAN REPTILE PARK TURNS 60The Australian Reptile Park officially commemorated their 60th birthday this week, with a celebration attended by friends, media, VIPs, family and guests of the Central Coast wildlife sanctuary. Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing and Special Minister of State Anthony Roberts opened the ceremony with words of appreciation for owners John and Robyn Weigel and the Australian Reptile Park. Australian Reptile Park General Manager Tim Faulkner said, “It was hard not to tear up listening to the speeches reflecting upon how far the Park has come and being a
part of this history. I remember getting my photo taken with Ploddy as a kid, and now to be the General Manager of such an iconic and successful tourist attraction, it’s pretty special.” The Australian Reptile Park is open daily from 9am till 5pm, located at Somersby on the Central Coast of NSW, approximately one hour from Sydney and Newcastle.
View the animals and attractions online at reptilepark.com.au
TAFE FACILITY TO BOOST TOURISM WORKFORCE In a major win for the State’s tourism and hospitality sectors, a new TAFE NSW facility to enhance training delivery and boost the State’s skilled tourism and hospitality workforce has been officially opened in Coffs Harbour. Minister responsible for TAFE NSW Adam Marshall joined Member for Coffs Harbour Andrew Fraser to officially open the new SkillsPoint HQ. Mr Marshall said, “Tourism and hospitality are rapidly growing industries and huge contributors to the NSW economy, but we know the key to unlocking their true economic potential is a
steady supply of qualified workers with industry relevant skills. “This new initiative will see TAFE NSW working closely with industry partners to ensure training is aligned with industry need and empowers our students to hit the ground running and contribute to our State’s economy.” Mr Fraser said Coffs Harbour was a leading hub for tourism and hospitality and was uniquely placed to house the new facility. Coffs Harbour is one of nine SkillsPoints locations across NSW. For more information, click here.
WINE FESTIVAL RETURNS TO ORANGEOne of Australia’s most anticipated regional culinary events, the Orange Wine Festival, returns from 12-21 October, 2018 with its signature experience, The Vino Express. First launched in 2016, The Vino Express is a three-day Sydney-to-Orange return journey packed with curated food and wine experiences, showcasing the best cool climate wines, local produce and dining that the Orange region has to offer. Once in Orange, the itinerary features private cellar door tours, wine tastings, masterclasses, café breakfasts, long lunches and fine-dining experiences
throughout Orange, along with tickets to the festival’s signature events and overnight accommodation, all from $897 per person. Now in its 13th year, the Orange Wine Festival includes more than 90 events, from wine tours and tastings, paddock to plate dinners and meet the maker masterclasses. The festival brings together more than 80 vineyards and 30 cellar doors from picturesque Orange and its local villages of Blayney and Cabonne. Tickets for The Vino Express, and other Orange Wine Festival events, are on sale now, with the full program available at www.orangewinefestival.com.au
COMMEMORATIVE COIN FOR INVICTUS GAMES The Royal Australian Mint has unveiled a new two dollar coin, symbolising the unconquered spirit of wounded and ill service personnel and veterans across Australia. Produced in partnership with Invictus Games, the new coin features an image of a wheelchair competitor and will enter circulation in time for the Invictus Games Sydney to be held from 20 - 27 October, 2018.
NEW WILD CATS AT ALTINA WILDLIFE Altina Wildlife Park in the Riverina Region has welcomed some exotic new guests, with three African servals from South Africa making the long journey to NSW. The three servals - Levi, Keeno and female Layla - have arrived to join serval Hasani, who came to the Riverina’s Altina Zoo last year. Encounters are available for a limited time. Click here for more details.
SCENIC WORLD TO UPGRADE CABLEWAY Scenic World is set to enhance its visitor experience with a $4 million dollar upgrade of their Scenic Cableway. The new cableway cabin will be 25 per cent larger with bigger windows and a reconfigured cabin to improve viewing of the iconic Three Sisters and beyond. The cabin is scheduled to close from 1 August – 16 September, re-opening on 17 September, 2018. Find more information here.
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