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COFFS HARBOUR TOP AUSSIE TOWN FOR 2020
NSW north coast gem Coffs Harbour has been named Wotif.com’s Aussie Town of the Year, with Batemans Bay and Katoomba also in the country’s top 10 destinations to visit this year.
The prominent online travel site this week unveiled their 2020 awards, ranking the top 10 destinations on Australian travellers’ wish lists. New Wotif research shows a resurgence in intent to travel domestically with one-in-three travellers likely to plan an additional trip to a bushfire-affected area this year.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said 2020 was the year to holiday ‘here’ by taking a weekend getaway or holiday in NSW.
“With Coffs Harbour in first place, Batemans Bay in fourth and Katoomba ranked eighth, Australia clearly agrees these NSW towns are bucket list destinations for all Australians,” Minister Ayres said.
“Tourism is incredibly important to many NSW communities and businesses, so now’s the time to love NSW and explore our own backyard, spend ‘locally’ and stay ‘locally’. In the year ending September 2019, domestic overnight visitors generated an invaluable $13.9 billion in tourism related spend for regional NSW.”
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the award acknowledged what locals have always known – Coffs Harbour is a dream holiday location.
“What’s not to love about Coffs Harbour? We have 60km of spectacular coastline, lush hinterlands on our doorstep and an abundance of world-class produce matched by outstanding hospitality,” Mr Singh said.
“Coffs Harbour is a really special community with a proud history of welcoming visitors from across Australia and the world – this award reinforces why people should book a break in Coffs now.”
Wotif data shows Coffs Harbour will be one of Australia’s fastest-growing and best-value holiday spots in 2020 with year-on-year demand up 120 per cent.
In its third year, the Wotif Aussie Town of the Year awards rank holiday spots based on affordability, interest, accommodation deals and traveller review data compiled by the website for 2019.
Read more about the announcement.
SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE MOVES INTO THE BIG APPLE
Some of Sydney’s best known icons – including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach – are lighting up 18-storey high screens in New York’s heavily trafficked Times Square as part of Destination NSW's push to promote Sydney as a world-class holiday destination to the U.S. market.
The digital billboard will reach more than 1.5 million people daily – or 21 million across the fortnight over which it is live – an opportunity generously donated by Lightyear Media in support of NSW’s tourism recovery activities.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the billboard would provide invaluable exposure for the Harbour City and NSW.
“Anyone who sees images of Sydney Opera House, our picturesque Harbour, the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and our nature and wildlife falls in love with what NSW has to offer,” Minister Ayres said.
“As a hub in one of the most popular, most influential cities in the world, Times Square is the perfect place to promote Sydney to potential travellers and inspire them to holiday here this year.”
The U.S. remains NSW’s second largest international market and in the year ending September 2019 about 526,000 U.S. visitors generated $838.5 million in visitor spend for the state.
“We know that Sydney is also the gateway to regional NSW for travellers. Almost 1.5 million international and domestic overnight visitors to Sydney also explored our state’s regional gems in the year ending September 2019,” Minister Ayres said.
See the 7NEWS report here.
NEW #LOVENSW MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL COUNCILS AND LTOS
Destination NSW is inviting Local Government and Local Tourism Organisations (LTOs) to increase their region’s destination appeal and potential visitor reach by participating in a new element of its Now’s The Time To Love NSW campaign.
The organisation is offering Local Government and LTOs three tiers of buy-in for the program: an experience-themed digital campaign, destination-specific content and media partnerships, and destination-specific high impact advertising.
The benefits of participation include access to more than 4.6 million highly targeted potential Australian travellers, access to industry partnerships, increased cut-through by alignment with the Now’s The Time To Love NSW campaign, and promotion to VisitNSW.com’s existing website and social media audience.
To request a copy of the NSW Tourism Recovery Marketing Program prospectus, please contact Destination NSW’s Regional Tourism Development team.
Individual tourism businesses can also participate in Now’s The Time To Love NSW through these free-of-charge options:
- Share the love: Join the social media movement and show your #LoveNSW spirit by taking a photo in your town or at your business, featuring a heart shape made with hands or in another way, and sharing on social media with the hashtag. Download the quick guide to #LoveNSW.
- Spread the word: Destination NSW has created a handy toolkit of logos, key messages and social media guidelines to help businesses be part of the program. Download the toolkit here.
- Get Connected: Register your business via Get Connected to be listed on VisitNSW.com, Sydney.com and other associated websites to promote the fact that their business is operating and welcoming visitors. This enables businesses to access more than 1.7 million potential visitors per month
NSW STRENGTHENS TRANS-TASMAN TIES THROUGH NEW PARTNERSHIP
New South Wales is set to bolster tourism from New Zealand, after the NSW Government through Destination NSW signed a fourth consecutive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the nation’s flagship carrier, Air New Zealand.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the two-year agreement worth more than $1 million builds on previous success in the New Zealand market.
“We estimate that the three previous MoUs with Air New Zealand between 2014 and 2019 delivered an estimated overnight visitor expenditure of $56.8 million to the NSW economy,” Mr Ayres said.
“In the year ending September 2019, New Zealand ranked as NSW’s third most popular international market in terms of visitors, which is why it’s crucial for us to continue to build on this momentum going forward."
Air New Zealand General Manager New Zealand Retail and Loyalty Marketing Annabelle Fowler said the agreement will strengthen the airline’s NSW connection.
“NSW has always been a firm favourite with Kiwis travellers and we fly more seats to Sydney from New Zealand than any other destination in our international network."
NSW CRUISE SEASON EXTENDED - MORE SHIPS TO VISIT EDEN
The Queen Elizabeth and Sapphire Princess will extend their seasons in Australia - including through southern NSW port Eden - over the coming months.
Cunard's Queen Elizabeth (pictured) and Princess Cruise's Sapphire Princess have both responded to travel restrictions and port closures in Asia by adding domestic itineraries to their schedules.
Cunard Australia and New Zealand Commercial Director Katrina McAlpine said the luxurious 2,000-passenger ship would complete six new itineraries including her first ever 27-night full circumnavigation of Australia.
"This extended Australia season will benefit local tourism with 29 visits to ports around the country during her additional 60-day deployment," Ms McAlpine said.
The additional itineraries include two six-night Tasmania voyages ex-Sydney that will dock at Eden.
Sapphire Princess will redeploy to Australia six months earlier than planned with 44 new cruises from five cities including Sydney.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz welcomed the season extension.
“These new itineraries are great news, especially at a time when the tourism industry is focussed on recovery. The extra deployments cruise lines have announced in Australia will boost visitation and provide new economic opportunities for destinations around the country.
VALE JAMES KWAN
Retired businessman James Kwan is being remembered as a pioneer of the inbound tourism industry after he contracted the COVID-19 virus and tragically passed away on Sunday. Mr Kwan, his wife and family had been passengers on the Diamond Princess.
Founder of Wel-Travel in 1988, Mr Kwan played a major role in developing the inbound tourism industry particularly from Malaysia, Singapore, China, India and Indonesia.
Prior to this, his distinguished career included time as the Singapore-based director of the Hong Kong Tourism Association, and a founding member of the Western Australian Tour Operators Association (WAITO), which later merged into the Inbound Tourism Operators Association (subsequently re-named ATEC).
Mr Kwan served on the ATEC National Board from 2001-2005 and was a founding member of ATEC’s Asian Tourism Advisory Panel (now Market Advisory Panel).
ATEC Managing Director Peter Shelley said, “James was a measured and pragmatic man and was held in high regard by the inbound industry – particularly in his beloved home state of Western Australia. James was always willing to share his knowledge and help others in the industry grow, often mentored young and aspiring members of the tourism industry.”
9 TO 5 ANNOUNCES PERFECT BOSS
One of Australia’s television and musical theatre stars, Eddie Perfect, has been announced as the male lead in the Australian premiere of 9 to 5 The Musical. Eddie will play the egotistical boss Franklin Hart Jnr and joins a stellar cast including Caroline O’Connor, Marina Prior, Samanthan Dodemaide and Erin Clare.
Eddie Perfect said, “I’m beyond excited to return to the Australian stage in Dolly Parton’s hilarious 9 to 5 The Musical.
“Having spent the last two years in New York City, the chance to return home and share a stage with my theatrical heroes Caroline O’Connor and Marina Prior (not to mention the sensational Erin Clare and Samantha Dodemaide) was just too good to pass up.
“9 to 5 is a powerhouse comedy for four strong female leads that couldn’t come at a better time. The future is female, and I’m just thrilled to tag along for the ride.”
The Australian-premiere of 9 to 5 The Musical was secured by Destination NSW and will open at the Sydney Lyric Theatre next month from 19 April, direct from the West End in London.
9 to 5 The Musical tells the story of Doralee, Violet and Judy - three workmates pushed to boiling point by their egotistical, chauvinist boss Franklin Hart Jnr. It features an Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-nominated score by the Queen of Country herself, Dolly Parton, including her much-loved hit, 9 to 5! For tickets, visit 9to5themusical.com.au
LAST CHANCE TO SEE JAPAN SUPERNATURAL
There are only two more days left to discover the fascinating world of Japan supernatural at the Art Gallery of NSW. The exhibition has been presented as part of the Sydney International Art Series 2019/20, which has been proudly supported by the NSW Government through Destination NSW since its inception in 2010. Japan supernatural features more than 180 wildly imaginative works by Japanese artists past and present and is centred on the monumental installation of painting and sculpture by contemporary Japanese artist, Takashi Murakami. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for concession, $18 for members and $12 for children aged 12-17 years. Learn more and purchase your ticket at the Art Gallery of NSW’s website.
BUY LOCAL AT SEASONS OF NEW ENGLAND
The very best of the New England region will be brought together at the 8th annual Seasons of New England in Uralla on 28 March. The Expo brings together more than 100 New England businesses who make what they sell – from local food and wine to an enormous range of handmade artisan wares. The Expo will be followed by more great food, live music and the Uralla Arts Lantern Parade from dusk. Visitors can upgrade their experience by booking a seat aboard the New Englander Rail Experience (operates 27 - 29 March 2020), which picks up passengers in Newcastle and heads up through the Upper Hunter to Uralla and Armidale. Passengers will be treated to a New England lunch time meal and have the opportunity to meet with some of the New England characters along for the journey. More information available at seasonsofnewengland.com.au
JAMBEROO THANKS RFS AND SES VOLUNTEERS
Jamberoo Action Park, NSW’s largest family-owned and operated water theme park, is offering all volunteer members of the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) and NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) complimentary entry to the park, including access to all rides and attractions, on Saturday 28 March. Volunteers of these services wishing to enter on the day will be required to present a current and valid photo ID card (as issued by either the NSW RFS or NSW SES state authority). Volunteers and their immediate families (up to a maximum of four people, including the card holder) will be issued a complimentary ticket at the gates. For more information, email admin@jamberoo.net or call 02 4236 0114.
WESTERN SYDNEY PARKLANDS TOURISM OPPORTUNITY
Western Sydney Parklands Trust is inviting Expressions of Interest for the development and long-term lease of a new tourism opportunity in Western Sydney Parklands known as ‘Pikes Lane’. Executive Director of Western Sydney Parklands Trust Suellen Fitzgerald said, “With such close proximity to other major tourism attractions within the Parklands including the recently-opened Sydney Zoo, Raging Waters Sydney, Bungarribee Park, Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney Motorsports Park and Sydney Dragway, we expect Pikes Lane to be hugely successful.” Pikes Lane is located at the Light Horse Interchange (M4 and M7 intersection) just 13 kilometres from the new Western Sydney Airport. Expressions of Interest should be submitted via NSW eTendering by 8 April 2020.
SURF N TURN SUPPORTS BUSHFIRE APPEAL
The NSW South Coast town of Sussex Inlet will welcome more than 120 competitors on Saturday 21 March to take part in the Surf N Turf Bushfire Appeal Charity event. The event will see 32 teams of four compete for major prizes in a combined surfing and golf event, with 100 per cent of the entry fees donated to the Ocean and Earth South Coast Bushfire Appeal. Teams will be awarded points for the position they come in the surfing and golfing events, with the points added together to announce an overall winner for the day. The Surf N Turf Bushfire Appeal Charity event aims to encourage visitors to book a trip to the NSW South Coast and let people know the region is open for business following the recent bushfires. For more information and to enter a team, visit surfingaustralia.com
BUSINESSES INVITED TO JOIN TASTE OF MANLY
Northern Beaches Council is seeking expressions of interest from businesses to be part of the 34th Taste of Manly from 30-31 May. Set alongside one of Sydney’s most iconic beaches and in the heart of Manly, the event is the pinnacle of Manly’s vibrant food scene. The food and wine festival will showcase the best and brightest local restaurants and brewers alongside Australia’s finest wine producers. Visitors have the opportunity to experience mouth-watering local restaurant cuisine, craft beers and some of Australia’s top wines, along with great live music and a vibrant atmosphere. Businesses are advised that spaces are limited; with applications required by Friday 6 March. For more information visit northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
