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LIST YOUR VIRTUAL EXPERIENCES ON VISITNSW.COM
Destination NSW is providing further support to tourism businesses that are adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic by temporarily accepting virtual experiences on visitnsw.com and Sydney.com through the Get Connected program.
Destination NSW is calling on tourism businesses around the state to share their virtual experiences via Get Connected so they may be featured across websites and social media, reminding wanderlust viewers of the destinations and experiences to love in NSW - virtually for now, and in person in future.
Would-be travellers are getting their experience fix from the couch right now thanks to NSW tourism businesses that are offering innovative new virtual experiences including tours, streaming performances, digital yoga and dance classes, live virtual tastings and at-home cooking classes with home-delivered produce and wines.
This groundswell of innovation has been welcomed and shared by Destination NSW, the media, on social channels and by industry groups.
Businesses looking to get involved in the online movement can:
- Discover ideas for adapting your product into a virtual experience.
- Set up your virtual experience listing via Get Connected. If you are already a Get Connected member, you can log in and create the new listing from your account.
- Take a look at our Quick Tips guides for more ideas on staying connected with travellers, media and industry partners during these challenging times or contact product@dnsw.com.au to discuss your tourism business.
Image: Manning Regional Art Gallery in Taree is offering a virtual tour of its Doug Moran National Portrait Prize exhibition.
LIVE FROM AUS - TOURISM OPERATORS TO FEATURE IN TOURISM AUSTRALIA'S LIVE STREAM
Tourism Australia will be transporting tourism offerings into the living rooms of hundreds of thousands of people via a curated live program of virtual travel experiences to inspire them to dream about their next Australian holiday.
Live From Aus will kick off domestically on Friday 15 May with a special one-hour broadcast at 7:30pm on The Project on Network Ten. ‘The Love Australia Project’ will be headlined by Australian tourism and entertainment personalities who will shine a spotlight on unique experiences across the country.
For the entire weekend of 16 and 17 May, Tourism Australia will be going live with exclusive new travel experiences, broadcasting on the hour, every hour, to a potential audience of more than 13 million from across Australia and the world.
An ongoing streaming program from 18 May will reconnect Australians with our country’s unique wildlife, landscapes, food and wine, Indigenous, arts and cultural experiences through Tourism Australia’s digital and social media channels.
Industry operators have the opportunity to get involved too:
- Join the Facebook event, watch the program of content on Facebook or YouTube and share it with your networks using #SeeAustralia.
- Stream your own events on your social media channels using the Live from Aus logo available to download from 16 May 2020 from tourism.australia.com/livefromaus.
- Let Tourism Australia know about any live streaming events your business has coming up by emailing socialmedia@tourism.australia.com with Live from Aus in the heading. If the content is relevant for Tourism Australia’s audiences, Tourism Australia can help promote it.
- Submit your content ideas to be considered for Tourism Australia’s channels by emailing socialmedia@tourism.australia.com with Live from Aus in the heading. Read the guidelines for more information.
Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison said the broadcast and digital activation would help to further bring to life Tourism Australia’s With Love From Aus campaign, which has been rolling out across its social channels over the last month.
“The With Love From Aus campaign is about providing a platform for our industry operators, tourism products and experiences to continue to connect with travel lovers and give them the ideas and inspiration to explore our incredible country when borders reopen, and people can travel again,” Ms Harrison said.
Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said that restarting the tourism industry once restrictions were eased would be crucial to Australia’s overall economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
“Those able to take breaks once restrictions are eased should do so knowing they can enjoy the time of their lives while also helping to save the businesses or jobs of fellow Australians,” Minister Birmingham said.
The Live from Aus program schedule is now live on www.australia.com and on Facebook.
ACCOMMODATION INDUSTRY PROVIDES VALUABLE QUARANTINE HELP
Hotels in NSW have accommodated more than 13,000 people so far under quarantine arrangements introduced at the end of March to help contain COVID-19.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said housing large numbers of international travellers returning to Australia posed a major logistical challenge that has been successfully managed.
“We know quarantine hasn’t been easy for anyone involved, which is why I’d like to thank the returning travellers as well as the accommodation industry, 31 participating hotels and their staff for adapting at short notice to help us manage this unprecedented situation,” Ms Berejiklian said.
NSW hotels have hosted more than 13,000 guests so far, including 1,059 families with children, housed in serviced apartments.
Currently, 3,637 people are still in hotel quarantine accommodation, with more than 31,000 catered meals provided so far.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the quarantine requirements created complex challenges.
“It’s been amazing to see so many people pulling together in a short space of time to safely transport, house and care for such a large number of people,” Mr Ayres said.
“Their efforts have helped us stabilise infection rates and contributed enormously to progress in managing this disease. This is another example of the people of NSW rising to the challenge.”
The NSW Government is grateful for fantastic support provided by a team of dedicated medical professionals and hundreds of police, Australian Defence Force personnel, transport workers, security guards, caterers, cleaners, our travel management partners and support staff.
BEST OF THE WEST END TO LIGHT UP THEATRE ROYAL
Sydney’s Theatre Royal will roar back to life in 2021 after a global search secured a renowned operator for the much-loved venue.
Live entertainment operator Trafalgar Entertainment has been selected to operate the Theatre Royal when it reopens as part of the redeveloped MLC Centre in late 2021.
Minister for Jobs, Investment and Tourism Stuart Ayres said reopening the Theatre, which has been closed since 2016, will be a significant boost for the tourism and arts sectors.
“Trafalgar Entertainment is one of the world’s leading live entertainment operators and I am thrilled they want to expand their incredible success story to NSW,” Mr Ayres said.
“Internationally renowned musicals deliver around $25 million in visitor spend over a six-month run and around 200 jobs – great news for our tourism and theatre sectors.
“As our Government plans for a strong economic bounce back from the challenges we face – I’m thrilled the Theatre Royal will be helping to enliven our city’s economy.”
MLC Centre co-owners Dexus has begun renovation works — the upgraded theatre will retain the existing 1180 seating capacity and install improved staging, upgraded plush seating, a visually-enriched Drum foyer area, luxury bar, theatre store and sponsor facilities, as well as refurbishment of key performer areas.
Sir Howard Panter, Joint CEO and Creative Director for Trafalgar Entertainment added, “This is great news for Sydney and for this much-loved theatre. Trafalgar Entertainment, alongside our Australian colleagues Tim McFarlane and Torben Brookman look forward to bringing this great theatre back to life as the cornerstone of our operations in Australia and Asia-Pacific.”
Trafalgar Entertainment will take a 55-year sublease of the theatre from the NSW Government, ensuring a long future for the venue.
NEW ONLINE OPPORTUNITIES FOR TOUR OPERATORS, ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS
NSW tourism operators in the tour, activity and attraction sectors are invited to explore new online software and distribution opportunities during this period to secure customers via new avenues and adapt to current conditions.
Now is a great time for businesses to review online operations and refine back-end processes to make it simple for future customers to book their tourism product or experience. These opportunities will assist businesses to bounce back when travel restrictions are relaxed and allow them to take advantage of the increased web browsing that is occurring while people are spending more time at home.
Rezdy and BookingBoss are currently offering free trials and can work with businesses to facilitate a clear call to action, or ‘booking’ button, on websites. Rezdy has also launched a #together4tourism portal, which provides operators with COVID-19 tools, resources, events & offers to aid the industry's recovery.
In terms of distribution opportunities, many online travel agents (OTAs) have a large domestic market audience. OTAs are currently working with the industry to help businesses reach new audiences now, albeit virtually, so they are front of mind and easy to convert to bookings once travel is allowed.
Some of the OTA opportunities available to operators include:
- Klook, RedBalloon and Adrenalin are offering virtual experiences, food and wine hampers and experience vouchers through their websites. To get involved contact Klook, or submit your experience online with Red Balloon or Adrenalin.
- Get Your Guide has launched an industry-focused blog for suppliers that includes news and discussion on COVID-19 and other travel related issues.
- Viator is offering suppliers complimentary one-on-one 30min product optimisation training sessions to ensure businesses have the best chance for success once travel is allowed. Sign up for a session. Viator has also produced a COVID-19 Operator Resource portal for suppliers covering FAQs and expert advice.
- Viator and Tripadvisor are promoting their supplier’s virtual experiences using the hashtag #roamfromhome
NEW VIRTUAL OFFERINGS FROM NSW TOURISM OPERATORS
More NSW tourism businesses have launched into the digital world by creating new offerings and experiences for customers to enjoy from home. Viewing of live content across digital and social media globally has almost tripled in the past month proving that people are eager to engage with others and businesses online while social and outdoor activities remain restricted. These NSW tourism operators are making the most of eyes on screens with these new activities:
Sydney Tower Eye: Yoga from home, but with a view? Yes please! Sydney Tower Eye is hosting an all-level, energising and virtual flow yoga class via live stream next Wednesday 13 May at 7am. Led by Flow Athletic’s Kate Kendall, the class will be broadcast live from the Sydney Tower Eye Observation Deck with sweeping views of the city in the background to elevate the sense of freedom.
CIRCA 1928: The recently opened luxury property in Albury is the first hotel in Australia to join the global Hotel Bond initiative of issuing hotel bonds. Guests can purchase bonds directly from Circa 1928 for $100 and receive a bond certificate for $150 that can be redeemed after 60 days with no expiry date. All money goes directly to the hotel and supports scaled-back operation while preparing to welcome holidaymakers again in the future. Conditions apply.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia: The runways and street style glamour will be sorely missed, but this iconic event is still connecting the industry and customers through Fashion Week Interrupted — a social media campaign featuring messages of hope, innovation and inspiration from designers, models, buyers and supporters of Fashion Week, including NSW Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres. The campaign is now live and will continue to 15 May.
Destination NSW features innovative businesses and attractions like these in each edition of Insights with the aim of inspiring other tourism operators to develop new and different ways to promote their products and experiences to audiences worldwide.
If your business has a virtual tour or online experience you’d like to share with the thousands of Insights readers please email product@dnsw.com.au.
Alternatively, if you know of other experiences not promoted here, please join the movement and share them on social media using the hashtag #LoveNSW.
Please follow VisitNSW (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) and Sydney (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) for holiday inspiration and a showcase of NSW’s best attractions and experiences.
FREE LISTINGS FOR ADVENTURE TOUR OPERATORS
Leading travel website We Are Explorers is using its voice and reach in the tourism sector for good through a new directory and free listings for adventure tour operators. The publisher is offering operators across Australia and New Zealand free six-monthly listings on the platform to support businesses hit the hardest by COVID-19 and the bushfires. We Are Explorers reaches over one million Australians each month who love adventure and the great outdoors. “We’re in a position to help here, so we will. We all play a role in getting our industry back on its feet, and this is ours,” We Are Explorers founder Henry Brydon said. The launch of the tour directory forms part of the publisher’s wider multi-platform campaign, #ExploreYourBackyard, launched to inspire Aussies to start dreaming about their first adventure when restrictions are lifted and support local communities by exploring the incredible places within Australia.
SUPPORTING NSW GUIDE RELEASED
The NSW Government has created a summary of how it is helping individuals and businesses across the state during the COVID-19 pandemic by addressing questions such as: Can my business open or is it still restricted? What support packages am I eligible for — and what is the best way to apply for them? Where can I access expert advice on COVID-19 affected areas, including cash flow, supply chain restrictions, rental negotiations and how to retain employees? The downloadable guide provides clear advice on the support that different businesses are eligible for and highlights some of the longer term initiatives that will continue to provide opportunities to help the NSW economy bounce back. Through a coordinated response with the Australian Government and industry and community groups, the NSW Government’s targeted, timely support responds to immediate health and economic needs, while also preparing for the state’s recovery once restrictions are lifted – a recovery that will be driven, in part, by a new wave of reform to boost NSW’s economic potential. For the latest information Government stimulus programs, go to NSW.gov.au
NSW, AUSTRALIAN TOURISM AWARDS CANCELLED
The Qantas Australian Tourism Awards will not proceed for 2020, returning in 2021. After careful deliberation the award program organisers, the Australian Tourism Industry Council, determined that it was not possible to proceed with the program this year while tourism businesses around Australia are facing the worst ever disruption to their operations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The NSW Tourism Award program has followed suit and will also not proceed in 2020, with States and Territory programs managed at their own discretion. In its 36-year plus history the Australian Tourism Awards program has celebrated businesses that have demonstrated their commitment to quality visitor experiences, while providing a business development tool that has assisted businesses to review, assess and share their business goals and strategies. ATIC will continue to deliver other business development programs, including a COVID-19 Business Recovery module within the Quality Tourism Framework which assists businesses in their critical thinking for response and recovery to COVID-19 business disruption.
