No Images? Click here NSW SCORES ANOTHER AUSTRALIAN TOURISM FIRSTThe ability to attract more visitors to NSW and strengthen the NSW Visitor Economy has been boosted through a new data modelling tool developed in a collaborative partnership between Destination NSW and Westpac. The Destination NSW Westpac Tourism Expenditure Monitor will deliver valuable insights from aggregated, de-identified visitor data for the NSW tourism industry to attract more visitors by understanding how people spend money when they travel throughout the State. Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase said, “Tourism is big business and a vital industry to our State’s economy, employing over 171,000 people in NSW and delivering nearly $33 billion in overnight visitor spend in the year ending March 2019.” “If you can’t measure, you can’t manage and this new tool is another tourism breakthrough in providing the NSW Government and industry accurate and valuable analysis of spending data that has been stripped of any personal information. “This initiative is crucial to equip our industry, particularly in rural and remote areas of NSW, with traveller spending data analysis and insights to ensure we remain Australia’s number one tourist destination.” The deal brokered by Destination NSW, the State’s tourism and major events agency, sees its tourism expertise and insights linked with Westpac’s leading data analytics capability. The Destination NSW Westpac Tourism Expenditure Monitor will provide a variety of research metrics using de-identified and aggregated data. Each report will highlight changes from month-to-month and trends over time to reveal:
The program will assist the NSW tourism industry, including operators and agencies, in gaining a deeper understanding about what drives visitors to local communities, where they are coming from and how their spending patterns contribute to the NSW Visitor Economy. The data comprises millions of monthly transactions, tracking the geographical location of where money is spent against tourism services. These insights have not previously been possible using traditional survey methodology and are exclusive to Destination NSW and Westpac. Di Challenor, General Manager of Global Transaction Services at Westpac said this is an industry-leading example of Westpac’s drive to collaborate with customers to deliver meaningful, client-focused services, and help them to achieve their long-term strategic financial goals. “At Westpac, we have made multiple investments focusing on consumer privacy, customer-centric technology and data analysis capabilities to safely, securely and responsibly develop insights from it,” Ms Challenor said. “We are committed to our partnership with Destination NSW, which is setting the benchmark for others and is renowned for ensuring NSW is one of the world’s premier tourism and major events destinations.” Destination NSW will review this information to leverage insights, which we will soon make available to industry. AUSTRALIA U-23 TO PLAY NZ IN TWO-MATCH SERIES IN NSWAustralia’s U-23 men’s football team will gain valuable international match minutes together in early September when Football Federation Australia (FFA) hosts New Zealand in a two-match series in NSW. Australia will take on New Zealand at WIN Stadium in Wollongong (Friday, 6 September) and Campbelltown Stadium in Campbelltown (Monday, 9 September) as both nations seek to advance their preparations for forthcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games qualification tournaments. In January, Australia’s U-23s will travel to Thailand to compete in the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship. At that tournament, the top three teams will earn the right to join host nation Japan as Asia’s representatives at Tokyo 2020. “We are delighted to have been able to schedule two international friendlies for our under 23s on home soil ahead of the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship,” FFA Chief Executive Officer, Mr David Gallop AM, said. “Importantly, the fixtures will also provide supporters in Wollongong and Campbelltown with the chance to watch some of Australia’s brightest young footballers, including many from the Hyundai A-League, on their doorstep.” Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Graham Arnold said the fixtures represented a great chance for the squad to gel as the countdown to January’s important Asian Championship continues. “The boys did a great job in Cambodia in March to qualify for the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship,” Arnold said. NSW Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said the two-match series – supported by the NSW Government via tourism and major events agency Destination NSW - was a rare opportunity to support Australia’s finest young footballers on their road to Tokyo 2020. “It’s almost eight years since the Olyroos played in Australia, so it’s fantastic to have them on home soil and here in NSW for two important matches in preparation for Olympic qualification,” Minister Ayres said. “Football fans from Wollongong, Campbelltown, Sydney and across NSW will enjoy world-class athleticism and skill on the field from Australia’s best young Hyundai A-League players, and those who are making their mark in overseas leagues. "We know major events such as this showdown drive regional visitation, with thousands of football enthusiasts sure to head south for the big Friday night game." To purchase tickets: socceroos.com.au/tickets SUPERCHEAP AUTO BATHURST 1000 CELEBRATE BATTLE OF THE MOUNTAINThis year’s Great Race, the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, will celebrate the Battle of the Mountain acknowledging some of the most memorable moments at Mount Panorama. Reigning champions Craig Lowndes and Steven Richards brought the Peter Brock Trophy to Sydney this week to launch the 2019 event. Supercars Chief Operating Officer Shane Howard said this year’s event will celebrate the most memorable victories, defeats and unforgettable stories from the Great Race. “Winning at Bathurst is not necessarily just about beating your opponents on track. It is as much about tackling Mount Panorama with the challenges and demons it holds,” Mr Howard said. “For 56 years, the title of King of the Mountain has become one of the most illustrious you can claim in international Motorsport.” Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 was one of Australia’s greatest sporting events, and was an important contributor to regional tourism in NSW. “Tourism is vital to rural and regional communities, contributing $19.5 billion to the NSW economy and directly employing 90,400 people. The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 has driven visitation and boosted the profile of regional NSW since the first race in 1963,” Minister Ayres said. HELP DAD DISCOVER NEW SOUTH WALES WINE COUNTRYLooking for the perfect Father’s Day gift? For the cabernet sauvignon or riesling aficionado, the New South Wales Wine Country book is the ideal guide to inspire Dad to get out and taste the State’s finest drops. Discover the 14 distinctive wine regions of NSW with a striking 128-page coffee table book. Take a journey from the historic Hunter Valley through the abundant Riverina, the cool-climate vines of Orange and into the State’s newest wine region, New England. Wine lovers will learn about NSW’s unique terroir, diverse grape varieties, specialised vintages, and passionate winemakers. Explore local produce, outstanding restaurants, fun attractions, food festivals and events, and get the practical details to plan your trip. With New South Wales Wine Country the very best of the State’s gourmet offerings are at your fingertips. And for those avid adventurers who want to sample the fine wines for themselves, more information and holiday advice is available at visitnsw.com.au To purchase New South Wales Wine Country, click here. TAKE OFF TO TOUR DE TWEED THIS WEEKENDThis weekend, the new Tour de Tweed will continue the Battle on the Border legacy by celebrating cycling in the Tweed Valley from the 9-11 August. Offering a challenging weekend of cycling throughout the scenic Tweed Valley, the Tour de Tweed will be highlighted by the National Road Series, Australia's premier domestic road racing series and birthplace of Australia's future cycling stars. Competitors and fans will flock to the North Coast this weekend to experience the cycling spectacular – as well as the regions signature scenery. Whether you’re planning a road trip, live nearby or are heading along to spectate, be sure to explore the region’s incredible offerings as you take in all the action of one of NSW’s premier cycling events. For more information, see here. APPLY FOR DESTINATION NSW USA ROADSHOWApplications are now open until 23 August for the Destination NSW USA 2019 Roadshow. The event will take place from 3 to 9 November across four cities including New York, San Antonio, Dallas and Los Angeles and consist of industry appointments and networking opportunities. This event is designed to showcase Sydney and New South Wales products and destinations to key trade partners and travel trade media and create opportunities for NSW tourism suppliers to contract with relevant USA wholesalers, retail agents and online travel agencies. To register for this event, please visit Destination NSW website. ROYAL HOTEL IN SOFALA TAKES COUNTRY PUB PRIZEThe Royal Hotel in Sofala is one of six recipients of a $50,000 grant from Airbnb as part of the Country Pub Project. The scheme, launched by Airbnb in June, aims to revitalise local pubs and help put them and the towns they’re located in, back on the map. Publicans Marty and Sandy Tomkinson took over the Royal Hotel in Sofala in 1968, but the publican spirit has been in their blood for a lot longer, with Sandy’s parents having owned the pub since 1955. Airbnb spokesperson, Brent Thomas, said: “The pub itself is such a rich part of the history of the town and its involvement in local causes and groups, such as the school, is a great initiative.” Of 9000 nominations for the Country Pub Project, 3300 were from New South Wales. |