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NOW’S THE TIME TO LOVE NSW
NSW GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES TOURISM RECOVERY PLAN
Bushfires and drought have had a devastating impact on NSW’s visitor economy.
That’s why Now’s The Time To Love NSW.
It’s time to show the world that most of NSW’s spectacular natural wonders and visitor experiences are still in great shape, and are ready to welcome back visitors, now.
To demonstrate their support, the NSW Government and its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW today launched a multi-faceted recovery program to help rejuvenate the state’s visitor economy, to fund innovative new local events and assist tourism businesses to develop, promote and sell their products.
THE CAMPAIGN
The first phase of the plan is a new community-driven campaign – Now’s The Time To Love NSW – which urges the people of NSW to take a break that gives back, and to saturate social media with photos of videos of their favourite holiday spots statewide.
It's inspired by the outpouring of public support for communities affected by drought and bushfires and responds to calls from our tourism industry to reassure travellers that our towns, villages and cities are open for business and have the welcome mat out.
Now’s The Time To Love NSW kicks off today with a double-page spread in Sydney’s Daily Telegraph a dedicated landing page on visitnsw.com and activity across social media. Other complementary activities will roll out in the coming weeks.
GET INVOLVED - SHOW THE LOVE, SHARE THE LOVE
Tourism operators and other business owners can get involved in the campaign by showing the world what’s to love about their town or city, experience or attraction by following these steps:
- Make your hands into a heart shape.
- Take a photo with your ‘heart’ in a NSW location.
- Share the photo on your social media with the hashtag #LoveNSW
We also recommend that that local tourism organisations, industry associations and individual tourism businesses encourage visitors or guests to get involved and help share the love and show the love for NSW.
An industry factsheet is available at DestinationNSW.com.au with more information about how to get involved.
#RECOVERYWEEKEND
Destination NSW has been actively supporting the tourism industry in recent weeks through ongoing social media, marketing, partnership and publicity programs.
This activity centres around the concept of a #RecoveryWeekend – a practical way for people to show their support for bushfire or drought affected communities by booking a holiday in Sydney or regional NSW.
By staying 'local' and spending 'local', holidaymakers, day-trippers and those visiting family and friends can feel good and do good at the same time.
#RecoveryWeekend activity includes:
- Partnership campaigns with Qantas Airways, Accor, Webjet, TripAdvisor, Flight Centre and Tigerair that launched in market this week driving consumers to book a #RecoveryWeekend in NSW. Check out the deals on VisitNSW.com
- Coverage on morning TV program, Studio 10, that was secured by Destination NSW and included live crosses to Huskisson/Jervis Bay, Southern Highlands, Thredbo, Tumbarumba, Canowindra and Cowra
- An upcoming week of coverage on TODAY Show with weather crosses from Port Macquarie, Hunter Valley, Blackheath, Ulladulla and Merimbula. Additionally TODAY Show and TODAY Extra will broadcast their entire shows live from Bateman’s Bay on Friday 14 February
- Active pitching to domestic and international media resulting in 445 items of media coverage encouraging travel to NSW
- Close to 100 posts across consumer and corporate social media channels featuring #RecoveryWeekend
TOURISM RECOVERY PACKAGE
Research shows that the recovery of communities following significant disasters may take years.
This is why the NSW Government, through Destination NSW, has developed a comprehensive multi-staged plan that has been informed by consultation with the tourism industry, industry associations and the six Destination Networks.
In addition to the launch of the Now’s The Time To Love NSW campaign, the first phase of the program includes:
- $1 million regional events program to support existing flagship events and a new stream to support 'micro events'
- Joint marketing campaigns with major industry partners to build on the #RecoveryWeekend activity currently in market
- Extensive social media and marketing activity showcasing the entire state
- Targeted publicity and hosted media programs for domestic and international markets
- Capability building programs including upskilling for tourism operators
Further information about co-operative marketing programs, regional event funding and tourism business development programs will be available in the coming weeks.
For updates check the Destination NSW website and follow Destination NSW on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook.
GET CONNECTED
Now is the perfect time for tourism operators and relevant businesses to list their product, attraction or experience in Destination NSW's FREE Get Connected data warehouse - or if they already have a Get Connected listing to check if the information needs updating or the imagery a refresh. With nearly 16,500 product listings already, Get Connected is a trusted resource for tourism businesses to advertise themselves free of charge, and to guide visitors as they look to explore NSW. Get Connected is the central source of up-to-date information that populates Destination NSW’s consumer websites (VisitNSW.com and Sydney.com) which receive 1.7 million views each month. To register or update your listing, go to Destination NSW.
NSW GOVERNMENT RESOURCES
Bushfire affected families and businesses can now access all available assistance through Bushfire Customer Care at Service NSW. The program includes all assistance being offered by local councils, the NSW State Government and Federal Government. Customer Care specialists can connect bushfire affected residents with services and support information including;
- Accommodation advice
- Relevant charitable services
- Mental health & wellbeing services
- Support for businesses
- Clean-up services
- Financial assistance
- Insurance and legal support
- Replacing lost ID
- Volunteer RFS and SES payments.
Call Service NSW between 7am and 7pm on 13 77 88. or visit Service NSW.
