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TOURISM TO BENEFIT FROM NEW FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE
The Federal Government has announced a $17.6 billion stimulus package, as a response to the significant economic challenges posed by the spread of COVID-19.
The package will include $1 billion to support those sectors, regions and communities that have been disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19, including those heavily reliant on tourism, agriculture and education.
This will include the waiver of fees and charges for tourism businesses that operate in Commonwealth National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It will also include additional assistance to help businesses identify alternative export markets or supply chains.
Targeted measures will also be developed to further promote domestic tourism. Further plans and measures to support recovery will be designed and delivered in partnership with the affected industries and communities.
The Federal Government will be working with its state and territory counterparts to identify those areas most critically affected by the spread of coronavirus.
For further information regarding COVID-19, please visit NSW Health.
Destination NSW is monitoring the COVID-19 situation very closely. We are following the advice of the Commonwealth and State health authorities, in particular the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee, and will keep you informed.
Photo: Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay
SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE SHOWS NSW THE LOVE
The southern pylon of Sydney Harbour Bridge was illuminated with #LoveNSW imagery last week, as a timely reminder that the recovery of the State’s visitor economy is in everyone’s hands.
The eye-catching projection built on the momentum of Destination NSW’s new campaign, Now’s The Time To Love NSW, reminding people to stay and spend locally in NSW, and to share photos and videos of their favourite places on social media with the hashtag #LoveNSW.
The pylon lighting on Sydney Harbour Bridge complemented Destination NSW’s 18-storey digital billboard going live in New York’s famed Times Square earlier in the week.
NSW CLAIMS NINE TOURISM AWARDS
Nine NSW businesses were recognised at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards held in Canberra last Friday. Among them, Blue Ginger Picnics from Kingscliff on the NSW North Coast took out the top gong in its category, Specialised Tourism Services.
President of the NSW Tourism Industry Council Simon Spellicy said: “This is great recognition for those businesses and they should be incredibly proud of their achievements.
“We know that NSW leads the way when it comes to tourist offerings, and to have this confirmed at the National Tourism Awards is a reflection of the work done by the thousands of tourism operators across the state.
“What’s also great to see is the geographical spread of the winning businesses, with each area of NSW facing their own unique challenges in the past 12 months.
“We know that as an industry, tourism is often the first hit by natural disasters, and the droughts and bushfires that have ravaged the state have made it particularly difficult to be in business – that’s why diversification of tourism offerings is so vital.”
The NSW Government through Destination NSW each year supports the NSW Tourism Awards that were held in November 2019. Winners in 27 categories progressed to the Australian Tourism Awards.
For the full list of winners, visit the Australian Tourism Awards.
AEROTROPOLIS TO DRIVE JOB CREATION
Major earthworks have commenced on the Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, which will be at the centre of Sydney’s first 22nd Century City, the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “We know the construction of the Western Sydney International Airport will generate more than 28,000 direct and indirect jobs by the time it opens in 2026, but that is just the start.
“The nearby Aerotropolis will leverage the unique opportunities of Sydney’s first 24/7 international airport and drive the creation of 200,000 jobs across the Western Parkland City.
“The jobs will cover aerospace, defence, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, agribusiness and education, as well as tourism and hospitality.”
The Western City & Aerotropolis Authority has already reached Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with 18 companies, including Hitachi, Siemens, GE Additive and DB Schenker.
Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said it is great to see how much global interest there is in the Western Parkland City.
“Half of Sydney’s population will live west of Parramatta by 2036, so it is important we make sure those people have the best employment opportunities available to them in Western Sydney,” Ms Davies said.
Learn more about the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
BEST AUSTRALIAN MUSIC TO FEATURE IN NEW BLUE MOUNTAINS FESTIVAL
A new three-day festival curating performances from The 100 Best Australian Albums is heading to the Blue Mountains.
The NSW Government via Destination NSW has secured The 100 Festival, which will take place annually in the Blue Mountains from 2020 to 2022.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said it’s a major win for the region.
“People typically visit the Blue Mountains for its breathtaking scenery, natural landmarks, bushwalks and cultural attractions. Today’s announcement further reinforces why this region is a must-visit destination, with The 100 Festival adding to the incredible breadth of experiences on offer in the Blue Mountains,” Mr Ayres said.
“We expect that over the three years, The 100 Festival will attract more than 12,600 visitors to the Blue Mountains who will stay more than 27,500 nights and spend more than $4.65 million.
“Unique events like this are crucial for driving visitation to regions right across NSW, which is not only beneficial for local businesses and tourism operators, but the State’s economy.”
The three-day festival will curate performances annually from The 100 Best Australian Albums – a compendium of the best rock and pop albums of the past 50 years. It will feature ticketed music performances across dozens of venues, as well as a range of free street activations.
For more information, check out this article in the Blue Mountains Gazette and visit the100festival.com
SAIL INTO PORT STEPHENS THIS APRIL
One of Australia's major sailing events, Sail Port Stephens, is inviting visitors to join in a week of fun on the water by booking in a break to Nelson Bay when this year's event gets underway on 27 April.
Now in its 13th year, Sail Port Stephens is promising to host its biggest event yet, with a week full of events and activities for sailors of all levels, as well as as plenty of social opportunities and an onshore entertainment programme.
Sail Port Stephens began as a small event in 2008 with 25 yachts and has since grown to become one that last year attracted a fleet of 160.
The 2020 Sail Port Stephens will be held from 27 April to 3 May. Destination NSW is proud to have supported this event since 2010. For further information, visit sailportstephens.com.au
Photo credit: Salty Dingo
NSW WINE REGIONS STAR IN NEW CONTENT PACKAGE
Destination NSW, in partnership with the NSW Wine Industry Association, has produced stunning new video and photographic content to showcase the State’s wine tourism regions as part of a push to grow international wine tourism.
The wine tourism regions included in the initial content capture are Hunter Valley, Southern Highlands, Shoalhaven, Mudgee, Orange, and Canberra District.
More than a collection of traditional cellar door images, the new content creates an appealing visual portrait of each region, through a focus on ‘signature’ wine and other visitor experiences, to show what makes each region unique.
The content is now available for the purpose of marketing and promotion.
It can be previewed and ordered through the Destination NSW Content Library.
NAROOMA OYSTER FESTIVAL
The Narooma Oyster Festival celebrates Australia's oyster coast and the region's quality produce, chefs, and rich artistic and cultural talents. This year's event will kick off on Friday 1 May with entertainment, live music and food stalls by the water at Forster's Bay, followed by oyster tastings, cooking demonstrations and oyster tours on Saturday 2 May. Attendees can also buy tickets to several special events, including a Long Table Dinner on Friday night, set on the shores of the famously blue Wagonga Inlet. The pre-dinner features local produce and freshly shucked oysters, followed by a formal three-course long table dinner with matched NSW wines. Visit the website for more.
COFFS HOSTS NATIONAL TOUCH LEAGUE
Hundreds of Australia’s best touch footballers are in Coffs Harbour this week for the annual National Touch League (NTL). The tournament kicked off at C.ex Coffs International Stadium on Wednesday and continues until Saturday 14 March. Seven of the 119 teams competing in the 2020 NTL are participating in a new All-Abilities division – an initiative for people with an intellectual and/or physical impairment to take part in touch football. It’s the first time this division has been played at a national level. The NTL tournament, which has been held in Coffs Harbour annually since 2013, is supported by the NSW Government through Destination NSW.
NEWCREST ORANGE CHALLENGE
Cyclists are gearing up ahead of the Newcrest Orange Challenge on Sunday 22 March. The event features three separate distances: the 70km ride that sees cyclists tackle 770 metres of climbing; the 100km ride that starts in Canowindra and involves 1430m of climbing through the beautiful Orange region; and the 170km ride that leads cyclists on a loop starting and finishing in Orange. To find out more about the Newcrest Orange Challenge, visit the website. Race participants are encouraged to make the most of their stay in Orange with plenty to see and do, from wineries to boutique shops and unique farmstays. Visit Orange360.com.au for more information.
