No Images? Click here $290 MILLION FOR AUSTRALIA'S TOP DESTINATIONThe NSW Budget 2018 was announced this week with over $290 million to be invested into the State’s visitor economy. Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said, “Tourism is big business and vital to the NSW economy delivering $35.2 billion in visitor spend last year and directly employing 171,100 people across the State.” $82 million will be invested to secure and support major sporting, arts and business events across the State, while $54 million will be invested to promote NSW destinations and experiences to domestic and international markets, support tourism operators and secure strategic partnerships with airlines and trade partners. $7.5 million will be provided for regional programs to attract more visitors, events and conferences, support industry product development and marketing, and spread visitor economy benefits to more communities. AUSSIES OPT FOR REGIONAL NSW OVER GOLD COASTIt's official, Aussie travellers just can't get enough of NSW's captivating coastline, country hospitality and rural charm, with the State once again recording its highest ever number of visitors, nights and expenditure. According to the latest National Visitor Survey (NVS) for the Year Ending March 2018, visitors from around Australia have come in greater numbers, stayed longer and spent more in NSW than ever before. Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said, “The NSW Government has invested record funding to grow the NSW visitor economy and rural and regional areas and the numbers speak for themselves. “Rural and regional NSW has exceeded that of regional Queensland by $88 million and we’ve achieved double-digit growth into rural and regional NSW—growing at 11 per cent." Mr Marshall said more than 32 million Australians chose to visit NSW (up almost 10 per cent), staying 101 million nights (up five per cent) and spending more than $19 billion (up almost 15 per cent). “NSW leads Australia in terms of visitors, nights and expenditure. NSW’s domestic overnight expenditure growth was almost triple Queensland’s and nearly double Victoria’s, once again proving that we are number one on the ladder,” Mr Marshall said. Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase said, "These fantastic results also underscore the investment that the NSW Government is making in marketing campaigns, events and in vital new infrastructure such as the Sydney International Convention Centre and initiatives such as the NSW First Program and the creation of the Destination Networks, which are helping tourism businesses across the State promote, develop and sell their product." BLOCKBUSTER WEEKEND OF FOOTY IN SYDNEYSydney is the place to be for sports fans this weekend, with the Women’s State of Origin, Wallabies vs Ireland and State of Origin Two, all offering an array of action. The first ever women’s match under the State of Origin brand will be contested under lights at North Sydney Oval tonight, before the Wallabies look to claim the series against Ireland in the third and final test at Allianz Stadium tomorrow night. On Sunday, NSW will be out to win their first Origin series since 2014 when they take on Queensland in the first Sunday State of Origin match in almost two decades. All three events have been secured for the Harbour City by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. The Wallabies match is a sell-out but tickets are still available for the women’s Origin match tonight at the gate and for the men’s match at tickets.nrl.com. To show its support, Destination NSW has arranged for the Sydney Harbour Bridge to glow blue tonight and Sunday night in support of NSW and green and gold tomorrow night to support the Wallabies. The bridge lights will be on from 6:00pm. SYDNEY TO HOST INTERNATIONAL HOCKEY PRO LEAGUESydney will host the world’s best hockey players in March 2019, with the debut of the Federation of International Hockey (FIH) Pro League to put the world’s nine best men’s and women’s teams against each other in a home and away series. Sydney Olympic Park Hockey Centre will host Kookaburras and Hockeyroos matches against Argentina and New Zealand, as well as a Kookaburras match against Spain and Hockeyroos match against the USA. The matches have been secured by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Hockey NSW Chief Executive Officer David Thompson said, “It is very exciting to be hosting some of the world’s best hockey players here at Sydney Olympic Park next year. It will be an amazing opportunity for the Kookaburras and Hockeyroos to play in front of a packed-out home crowd.” For more details, visit www.hockey.org.au Image credit: facebook.com/thekookaburras VIRGIN AUSTRALIA AND DESTINATION NSW TRAVEL TRADE COCKTAIL EVENTVirgin Australia and Destination NSW jointly hosted a travel trade cocktail event last night in Hong Kong. The event was in celebration of the inaugural Virgin Australia daily service from Hong Kong to Sydney, commencing from 2 July. Over 100 guests attended the event, including key consolidated agents, wholesalers, travel agents and Virgin Australia partner airlines, Hong Kong Airlines and Virgin Atlantic. During the evening, Virgin Australia briefed attendees on the brand new service while Destination NSW provided an update on Sydney and regional NSW destinations, including the strong domestic connection with regional NSW. For more information, visit FAMOUS FACES LEND A HAND AT PIE FEST 2018Pie Time’s month long celebration of the great Aussie pie in the Southern Highlands NSW will this weekend herald in its two day signature event Pie Fest at Bong Bong Racecourse Bowral. Fast Ed will be giving Anna Phillips from The Cook’s Cooking School a hand in the cooking demonstrations. He will also help children in the special kid’s cooking classes make their own pie. Visit www.piefest.com.au SHELL COVE MARINA AND HARBOUR OFFICIALLY NAMEDShellharbour City Council has unveiled the official names of the marina and harbour at Shell Cove. The marina will be known as Shellharbour Marina, while the harbour itself will be called Shell Cove. Shellharbour Mayor Marianne Saliba said the names, logo and website are all part of the development of a Shell Cove business entity. The $1.1 billion ‘Shell Cove’ project will provide a waterfront lifestyle and social hub for the local community and tourists. NSW TO HOST WORLD INVESTMENT FORUM |