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STAY COVID-SAFE AS RESTRICTIONS EASED
NSW has made several changes to COVID-19 control measures this week, with several restrictions eased and new rules put in place regarding travellers from known virus hotspots in Victoria and Melbourne.
Restrictions on entertainment venues, weddings, community sport and other gatherings were eased on Wednesday, but strict physical distancing measures remain in place. Go to NSW.gov.au for the latest health advice and information about restrictions.
The following is now permitted in NSW:
- The number of people allowed inside indoor venues will be determined by the ‘one person per 4 square metre’ rule, with no upper limit, including function centres
- Kids’ and adult community sport can recommence
- Cultural and sporting events at large stadiums, theme parks (Luna Park, pictured, reopens today 3 July), racecourses and motor racing tracks will be allowed up to 25 per cent of their normal seated capacity to a maximum of 10,000. Events must be ticketed, have allocated seating areas, and follow strict guidelines
- Alcohol can still be served to seated patrons only, including at conference and function venues
- Cinemas, theatres and concert halls can reopen subject to the one person per 4 square metre rule
The rules on gatherings remain the same: 20 guests inside a home (including holiday homes unless everyone is from the same household) and a maximum of 20 people gathering in a public place.
Nightclubs and music festivals are not permitted to operate under the current Public Health Order.
NSW Health has finalised checklists to support businesses that are allowed to operate to develop a COVID-Safe Business Plan. See the full suite of checklists at NSW.gov.au’s COVID-Safe business page.
Occupiers of the following tourism-related premises must have a COVID-Safe Business Plan and keep a copy on premises:
- Amusement centres
- Aquariums
- Beauty and personal services
- Caravan parks and camping grounds
- Casinos
- Community centres
- Entertainment facilities (cinemas, theatres, music halls and concert halls)
- Food and drink premises
- Food courts
- Function centres
- Indoor and outdoor swimming pools
- Information and education facilities (art galleries, museums and visitor information centres)
- Markets (non-food)
- Micro breweries and cellar doors
- Pubs, bars, registered clubs
- Recreation facilities (indoor)
- Recreation facilities major - theme parks, sports stadiums, showgrounds, racecourses and motor racing tracks
- Vessels used for commercial tours or functions
- Zoos and reptile parks
NSW Health is discouraging travel to and from specific areas of Victoria and Melbourne that the Victorian Government has identified as COVID hotspots at this time. Penalties may apply to anyone who does not follow the Public Health Orders relating to travel to and from the identified hotspots.
With school holidays starting in NSW this weekend, all travellers are reminded to follow the latest health advice, including staying home if unwell or staying in if you're already on the road and start feeling unwell.
NSW Health has developed resources for tourism operators to inform visitors about what to do if symptoms present while on holiday. See the social media assets, posters and door hangers at NSW Health.
NEW TOOLS FOR TOURISM BUSINESSES TO
GET INVOLVED IN LOVE NSW CAMPAIGN
Two new industry toolkits have been released by Destination NSW to help NSW tourism businesses get involved in the state’s tourism recovery campaign, Now’s The Time To Love NSW.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres encouraged tourism operators to get involved and let visitors know they are open and welcoming bookings.
“Tourism businesses can get in on the action by using the campaign brand to show travellers why their product, attraction or experience is a ‘must’ for any NSW itinerary,” Minister Ayres said.
Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Steve Cox said the toolkit gave businesses assets to align to the Now’s The Time To Love NSW brand.
“Operators that use these logos, images and videos will benefit from brand recognition and alignment with the multi-channel marketing activities being implemented by Destination NSW,” Mr Cox said.
“Our Now’s The Time To Love NSW activity will reach more than 4.6 million highly targeted potential Australian travellers, and with the help of our industry that could be even higher putting NSW front of mind for anyone planning a domestic holiday.”
Tourism businesses can also register for a free listing on VisitNSW.com and Sydney.com via Destination NSW’s Get Connected platform. Download the Now’s The Time To Love NSW toolkit for industry or travel agents now, or view the industry fact sheet for more information about getting involved.
Read the full media release.
SEE A DIFFERENT SIDE TO SYDNEY VIA AQUABUMPS
Destination NSW’s PR team has secured photographer and creative director of Aquabumps, Eugene Tan to produce a new series of work that shows Sydney from a different perspective as part of the Now’s The Time To Love NSW campaign.
The content will generate renewed interest in Sydney as a holiday location, and complements the Sydney content captured by Destination NSW’s own Editorial and Content team.
Throughout July and August, Eugene will be capturing aerial content across six locations: Sydney’s Harbour beaches, Northern Beaches, Sydney city, eastern suburbs, southern suburbs and Western Sydney. The photos and video will showcase Sydney from a different perspective and reveal the secret and lesser known areas that make the Harbour City a top travel destination
This content will be shared to a potential audience of 5.7 million via the Aquabumps daily email and blog, Aquabumps social media, through Destination NSW’s owned channels and via media outreach.
All content published by Aquabumps will link to Sydney.com, driving conversion among domestic audiences and inspiring international followers to dream about and plan their future Sydney stays.
Follow Aquabumps for a glimpse of Sydney from a fresh perspective. (Photo credit Eugene Tan, Aquabumps).
EXTRA SUPPORT NOW AVAILABLE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Small businesses can now access additional funds to reinvest in their operations with the new $3,000 Small Business Recovery Grants and payroll tax changes introduced this week.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the measures were part of the Government’s $13.6 billion-plus COVID-19 stimulus support measures.
“Eligible small businesses can access up to $3,000 in Recovery Grants, while the tax-free threshold for payroll tax will be increased from $900,000 to $1 million, saving businesses up to $5,450 a year.
“This support for small business will help create jobs and keep more businesses in business as we enter the recovery phase of this pandemic.”
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said small businesses are the engine room of NSW and they are playing a huge role in kick-starting our economy.
“These $3,000 grants can be used to relaunch business operations, from covering marketing and advertising expenses to fit-out changes and training staff on how to work safely under the current health conditions – assisting with expenses that will help get them back to business.”
The Small Business Recovery Grant can only be used for expenses from 1 July and where no other Government support is available. More information is available here and information on payroll tax changes can be found here.
Small business owners can get advice from more than 110 Business Connect advisors to help them innovate, pivot or take advantage of opportunities in the market. More information is available here.
QANTAS LAUNCHES TWO NEW NSW ROUTES
Qantas launched two new routes to regional NSW this week, helping to reboot the local tourism industry’s post-COVID recovery.
The first Qantas flight between Sydney and Byron Bay (Ballina) in 15 years departed on Wednesday and the airline confirmed its first ever flights to Orange will start on 20 July.
Both routes were originally scheduled to start earlier this year but were delayed due to COVID-19 and travel restrictions.
QantasLink CEO John Gissing said the recent spike in bookings demonstrates there is significant pent up demand for Australians to take a holiday after months of lockdown.
“These additional flights are coming at the right time for families who’ve spent much of the recent months confined to their homes and are looking forward to getting out and exploring their own State,” Mr Gissing said.
NSW Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the new services would make it easier than ever for NSW residents to take a country, city or coastal break.
“Tourism is a key industry for NSW’s North Coast, the wine region of Orange and our Harbour City, so these new flights will provide a lifeline for local communities, and a critical link for all travellers,” Minister Ayres said.
QantasLink will operate daily return flights between Sydney and Byron Bay (Ballina) with its Q400 aircraft and three weekly return services between Sydney and Orange on its Q200 aircraft from 20 July, with plans to increase frequency later in the year.
EVENT SUMMIT 2020
FREE FOR INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS
The annual Event Summit will return to Sydney this October and will be free for event stakeholders for the first time in its three-year history in a show of support for the industry.
Originally scheduled for June 2020 as part of the Vivid Ideas program, the annual Event Summit was postponed as a result of COVID-19. The team behind the Event Summit, Premium Media and Risk Facilitator, has kept in close contact with industry stakeholders since to understand the full impact of the global pandemic.
Recognising that the Summit is an important opportunity for the industry to come together, organisers have worked with their amazing partners to reschedule the 2020 Event Summit in October, to support the events community to bounce back from the crisis.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “There is no doubt that this year has been incredibly challenging, particularly for those working in the events industry.
“The Event Summit presents an exciting opportunity for event professionals to learn from the best, as we all work together to rebuild the industry and come back stronger than ever.”
To be held across two iconic Sydney venues on one day - The Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney and The Sydney Opera House, supported by Trippas White Catering - the Event Summit will bring together the events industry and help it get back on its feet. Registrations are free to professionals that have a touchpoint in their business with events, and attendees will be able to make a donation of $50 - $150 to Support Act on registration.
NEW CASE STUDIES HIGHLIGHT BENEFITS OF NSW FIRST PROGRAM
Tourism businesses from all over NSW have participated in the NSW First program to develop, promote and sell their products and experiences - now they’re encouraging others to get involved.
Destination NSW has released a comprehensive suite of case studies that demonstrate the benefits that businesses have enjoyed through participating in the NSW First industry development program.
The case studies are first-hand accounts from NSW tourism operators of what they learned through the program, how NSW First helped their business to grow and their own tips for success in the industry.
Bago Maze and Wine’s landscape architect Ian Mobbs said the NSW First Product Development workshops helped him recognise the potential of the business.
“It made us realise that we had a product that was of interest to international travellers and it gave us confidence to develop packages to target inbound travellers,” he said.
“To create our bookable packages we bundled products and experiences together that we were already doing well and offering to our standard customers separately, such as wine tasting, maze admission and cheese platters.”
There are 22 case studies available to explore across three facets of the NSW First program:
To find out more, view the NSW First guides and for product development assistance contact the team at product@dnsw.com.au.
SUPERCARS RETURN TO SYDNEY THIS MONTH
Supercars will race in front of fans later this month with the fourth round of the Championship - Truck Assist Sydney SuperSprint - to be held at Sydney Motorsport Park on 18-19 July. Supercars CEO Sean Seamer said the decision was made to return to Eastern Creek for a second consecutive round, after last weekend’s successful return of Supercars. “Sydney Motorsport Park was a logical choice as we have a proven track record of completing a safe event there based on what we achieved last week.” Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the event, the first for Supercars fans to return trackside, would bring a huge boost to NSW. “The fans have been waiting for the adrenaline rush that comes when rubber hits the track and cars fly off the start line of a Championship race. The NSW Government has invested in the redevelopment of Sydney Motorsport Park to ensure it remains a favourite among drivers, teams and spectators.” Attendance will be limited in line with COVID-19 restrictions, and ticketing information will be released soon.
MANLY’S TREASURES ON DISPLAY
Manly Art Gallery & Museum is currently showcasing selected works acquired over nine decades in a special exhibition to celebrate its 90th birthday, 90 Years: Treasures from the Vault. Mayor Michael Regan said the exhibition will provide rare insights into the history and stories behind the works. “This is a unique opportunity to see and learn more about these fascinating works of art in a Gallery which has been a Northern Beaches institution since it opened in 1930,” he said. The exhibition features paintings, photographs and ceramics acquired through MAG&M Society, the Theo Batten Bequest, the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program, private donors and from the artists. The foyer display reveals MAG&M’s earliest acquisition of a 1923 painting by James R. Jackson alongside one of the most recent acquisitions of a 2019 digital print by contemporary artist Joan Ross. The exhibition throughout the three gallery spaces is grouped into six main narratives; Artists at Work, Figuration, Still Life, Trees, Water and Manly. The exhibition is open until 3 August. Book online.
SAFETY FIRST FOR SNOW-BOUND HOLIDAYMAKERS
Rapid testing for COVID-19 is available in the Snowy Mountains region helping safeguard skiiers, boarders and snow enthusiasts enjoying our winter holiday resorts. Health Minister Brad Hazzard said rapid-testing for high-risk patients will be conducted at NSW Health Pathology’s Cooma Lab to enable early management of any suspected cases. “Fast, accurate testing to confirm COVID and thorough contact tracing is the most effective way to keep community transmission at bay and prevent further outbreaks,” Mr Hazzard said. “Expanding NSW Health Pathology’s rapid testing to the ski region will provide greater protection for resort workers and holidaymakers but only if people come forward for testing.” NSW Health Pathology’s Bega laboratory will support Cooma by conducting non-urgent tests. Transport for NSW has also released information about driving safely in the snow, including tips for handling the road and preparing a vehicle for driving in snow. Read the extensive guides at Transport for NSW.
