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ON THE ROAD TO #RECOVERYWEEKEND
The recovery of NSW's tourism industry has been bolstered with important domestic partner conversion campaigns kicking off this week, and extensive publicity and social media activity.
Destination NSW, the State’s tourism and major events agency, launched a series of domestic partner conversion campaigns this week with offers from Qantas Airways, Accor Hotels, Webjet, TripAdvisor, Tigerair and Wotif all in market this month.
The campaigns, which are matched dollar-for-dollar by industry partners, encourage visitors to book a #RecoveryWeekend in many of the state’s favourite destinations including areas previously affected by bushfires. See the deals at VisitNSW.com.
Destination NSW created the #RecoveryWeekend hashtag as an easy call to action: the best way the public can practically support bushfire-affected communities is to visit a regional town and spend locally. Feel good and do good by taking a recovery weekend in NSW.
This concept is also integrated into Destination NSW’s PR activity, with the agency securing flagship television coverage nationally.
Broadcasts commenced this week with morning program Studio 10 the first to showcase tourism operators in NSW regions. Reporter Narelda Jacobs has been travelling across the State to explore towns that are open for business including Huskisson/Jervis Bay, the Southern Highlands, Thredbo, Tumbarumba, Canowindra and Cowra.
Next week, the TODAY Show will broadcast weather updates in Port Macquarie, Hunter Valley, Blackheath, Ulladulla and Merimbula. Additionally, the TODAY Show and TODAY Extra will broadcast their entire shows live from Batemans Bay on Friday 14 February.
COVERAGE FAR AND WIDE
Since the start of January, Destination NSW’s PR team has been busy pitching bushfire recovery stories, so far generating 445 pieces of media coverage for NSW.
Highlight coverage includes:
- Good Food: How your fork (and esky) can save Australia after the bushfires
- Straits Times (Singapore): Don’t cancel – blue skies will return Down Under
- Family Traveller (UK): New South Wales bushfires: How to help
- Australian Traveller: On a starfari in Australia's first Dark Sky Park
- Stellar Travel: Across the outback (print)
- The Canberra Times - Explore: Keeping the Love Alive - New South Wales (print)
Destination NSW has further amplified its push to drive visitation across NSW by using the hashtag #RecoveryWeekend on close to 100 consumer and corporate social media posts.
Stay up-to-date and play a role in Destination NSW’s bushfire recovery efforts by sharing and amplifying posts on the following channels:
VisitNSW.com consumer pages: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter
Destination NSW corporate pages: LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook
STEVE COX NAMED AS DESTINATION NSW CEO
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres has today announced the appointment of Steve Cox as the new CEO of Destination NSW.
Mr Cox, who has been the Managing Director at Dymocks Retail for the past eight years and enjoyed a distinguished career in the retail industry, will lead the Government agency responsible for driving the NSW tourism and major events sector.
Mr Ayres said that Mr Cox’s appointment would provide Destination NSW with fresh impetus as the agency builds on the State’s reputation as the No.1 destination for domestic and international tourists.
“This is a great appointment for the people and businesses across NSW,” Mr Ayres said.
“Destination NSW has done a wonderful job of marketing our great State both within Australia and across the globe and securing world-class sporting, business and cultural events.
“I look forward to watching Steve take Destination NSW to even greater heights and further entrench NSW’s status as a major events capital.”
Following stints with David Jones and the Speciality Fashion Group, Mr Cox is credited with successfully guiding Dymocks through a challenging time for the retail book industry.
“I am very excited to be taking up this role as it’s an incredible opportunity to make a positive contribution to NSW,” Mr Cox said.
“Tourism is a dynamic and highly competitive industry and we must continually adapt to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers.
“I look forward to helping create and market new and exciting experiences for tourists to NSW and securing the world-class events this State deserves to host.” Mr Cox will officially commence work at DNSW in May.
Acting CEO Stephen Mahoney will remain in the role until then.
NEWCASTLE TO HOST WALLABIES V ARGENTINA
Newcastle will host its first ever Test in The Rugby Championship when the Qantas Wallabies and Argentina clash at McDonald Jones Stadium on September 5.
The Wallabies will return to the heart of the Hunter for the first time in over eight years, having last played in Newcastle in a now infamous defeat to Scotland in 2012.
The match will be the fourth outing for the Wallabies in their 2020 Rugby Championship campaign, following home-and-away fixtures against New Zealand and a trip to Perth to face the Springboks.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “Major events play a crucial role in driving tourism right across our State so we are delighted such a significant international Test will be played in the beautiful coastal city of Newcastle.
“I strongly encourage all sporting fans to book in a weekend trip to Newcastle in September to not only get behind our national rugby union team, but to enjoy the many culinary, arts and scenic delights this spectacular part of regional NSW has to offer.”
Pictured: Young rugby players in Newcastle with The Hon. Taylor Martin MLC, Wallabies player Jack Dempsey and Lord Mayor of the City of Newcastle Nuatali Nelmes.
CORONAVIRUS - INDUSTRY UPDATE
This week the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of novel coronavirus a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, however at this stage they have not recommended the introduction of any international travel restrictions.
The Australian Government announced temporary border restrictions on entry to Australia for travellers from, or transiting through, China with the exception of Australian permanent residents from 1 February 2020. This will be reviewed in 14 days from introduction.
The Australian Government’s Department of Health has issued multiple factsheets for the tourism industry to provide advice regarding managing risk and best practice in the workplace.
Destination NSW is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to liaise with its representatives in China and key stakeholders, including Tourismn Australia, to assess the impact on travel from China to New South Wales.
Destination NSW will boost marketing and partnership activities in other key markets to drive increased visitation from areas outside of China.
For the latest information, refer to the Department of Health and NSW Health.
TAKE 3 FOR THE SEA -
BYRON BEACH CLEANUP EVENT
Byron Shire Council is calling on the public to Take 3 for The Sea and join a community event to keep Byron’s beaches beautiful and marine creatures safe from the effects of plastic pollution.
On Thursday 13 February, visitors to Byron are invited to join other community members at iconic Main Beach at 2.30pm for the clean up event. Participants are encouraged to take three (or more) pieces of rubbish from the beach, take a photo of the items and share on Instagram tagging @take3forthesea_byron and @byronshirecouncil.
The target is a 40 per cent reduction in litter in Byron Shire to protect the beaches, surf breaks, marine life and waterways of the area that attract more than 2 million visitors every year.
The first 60 people to register on the day will be invited to a post-clean up social event at Stone and Wood Brewery to celebrate the collective efforts of the day. For more information and to get involved: take3forbyron.com
MELBOURNE TRAM FEATURES FROZEN
Commuters and pedestrians in Melbourne are being given a taste of Disney’s Frozen ahead of the Australian premiere in Sydney this July.
As part of the NSW Government’s support for Disney’s Frozen, Destination NSW has arranged for a Melbourne tram to be sporting the musical’s artwork until mid March to encourage visitors - both interstate and international - to book a visit to Sydney to see the production.
The Australian premiere of Disney’s Frozen is storming Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from July 2020, after the NSW Government froze out interstate competition to secure the highly-acclaimed and sought after production.
It is expected to attract more than 73,000 visitors to Sydney and deliver more than $46 million in visitor expenditure for NSW.
From the producers of Aladdin and The Lion King, Disney’s Frozen is an inspiring tale of sisterhood and true love. Disney’s Frozen will be presented at Sydney’s Capitol Theatre from 7 July 2020. Tickets can be purchased at frozenthemusical.com.au
NSW WARATAHS RETURN TO THE HUNTER
Rugby Union fans from the Hunter and beyond will enjoy the return of the NSW Waratahs to McDonald Jones Stadium this weekend when they take on the Auckland Blues.
Event partners Venues NSW, the City of Newcastle and NSW Waratahs expect the highly-anticipated clash against the Blues will provide a boost for the wider Hunter region with direct flights from Auckland to Newcastle providing easy access to the region for NZ rugby fans.
Venues NSW chief executive officer Paul Doorn said: “It will be great to see rugby fans not only travel from across New South Wales but from across the Tasman to pack McDonald Jones Stadium for what will be a great rugby match.” The game will take place tomorrow (Saturday 8 February 2020) from 7.15pm. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.
MID NORTH COAST COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER IN FEAST
Kempsey Shire Council and Macleay Valley Coast are inviting food lovers from across Australia to support local farmers and sample produce from the Mid North Coast at Farm Feast Macleay Valley Coast – a two-day culinary extravaganza and showcase of Macleay Valley Food Bowl producers hosted by celebrity chef Lyndey Milan.
At the Dinner Feast with Lyndey on Tuesday 11 February you will enjoy dinner overlooking the beautiful Macleay River and hear fascinating insights into Lyndey's career as a TV chef and food and wine entrepreneur. On Wednesday 12 February accompany Lyndey on a guided Macleay Valley Food Bowl tour celebrating fresh local produce.
Visit Farm Feast Macleay Valley Coast for information and to purchase tickets.
TUMBARUMBA RAIL TRAIL SET TO OPEN IN APRIL
The Tumbarumba to Rosewood Rail Trail will open in early April, NSW’s first on public land following a disused rail corridor. The cycling and pedestrian trail will be 22km in length and informative signage will be installed to tell a range of stories about the history, environment and agriculture of the region.
The project is a pilot for NSW and a working model for future rail trails that has been funded through the NSW Government’s Restart NSW Regional Tourism Infrastructure fund and the Stronger Communities Round 2 grants.
Construction started on the trail in April last year and the community - including the Friends of the Rail Trail Group and local history group - has supported the development through the preparation of interpretive signs for the facility. Official opening activities will be held on 3-4 April. For more information snowyvalleys.nsw.gov.au
ALL SET FOR WORLD'S LARGEST WATER SKI RACE
All is set for an exciting weekend of ski racing on the Murray in Echuca and Moama on February 7th to 9th, for the 2020 Southern 80 Ski Race.
Entries are now confirmed at 400, with 190 boats and over 700 competitors travelling from Belgium, New Zealand and all over Australia to compete in the Biggest Water Ski Race in the World.
Watersports fans are encouraged to get in early to purchase tickets and explore the iconic Murray region. For more information and to secure tickets for this exciting event, see here.
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS TO SHOWCASE NSW NORTH COAST
Tonight, Better Homes and Garden’s will showcase NSW with Ed Halmagyi, better known as ‘Fast Ed’, travelling via motorbike to the Mid North Coast and Great Lakes regions of NSW.
From a lamb farm near Bulahdelah to the beautiful Wallis Lake in Forster Tuncurry, Ed’s experiencing all this beautiful part of our State has to offer. Of course, he’ll be cooking up a storm along the way, with Roast Carvery Lamb Leg and Clam Bake-Style Fish both on the menu. Tune in to Channel 7 from 7pm!
WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT BRIDGE COMPLETE
A mammoth 49-metre bridge, almost as wide as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, opened at Western Sydney Airport this week.
The opening marks the completion of the first phase of construction on the 1780-hectare Badgerys Creek site 44 kilometres west of Sydney CBD. The bridge is built on a series of 21 45-tonne girders and is made up of more than 900 tonnes of concrete and 20,000 tonnes of asphalt.
Western Sydney International Airport is scheduled to open in 2026, initially catering for up to 10 million international and domestic passengers per year.
