Insights - 15 November 2024
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DESTINATION NSW PUTS ITS FOCUS
ON NORTH ASIA
Destination NSW hosted around 60 key travel partners this week from four international markets - China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea - during its Focus on North Asia 2024 program.
The program was an opportunity for 30 NSW visitor economy businesses to be showcased to travel distribution partners. Operators benefitted from one-on-one meetings and networking opportunities where they forged connections that will open doors and expose them to new and bigger audiences.
The week-long program comprised two one-day workshops and familiarisations in Sydney and regional NSW, including the Blue Mountains, Newcastle, Port Stephens, Hunter Valley, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands.
CHINA LEADS OVERSEAS ARRIVALS FOR SEPTEMBER
The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows China was the leading source country for visitors to NSW in September 2024, with 35,250 trips.
New Zealand was the second largest source market for visitors to NSW, with 34,470 trips, while South Korea was the third largest source market, with 20,210 trips.
Overall, there were 233,670 short-term visitor arrivals to NSW during the period, an increase of 12,910 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.
TOURISM AUSTRALIA RELEASES TRAVEL
DISTRIBUTION REPORT
Tourism Australia has released a ‘Future of Distribution’ report to support the visitor economy in its response to rapidly evolving consumer dynamics and trends in the global travel distribution landscape.
The report explores post-pandemic complexities in travel distribution and includes deep-dive insights on the 15 priority markets that have historically delivered 80 per cent of visitors to Australia.
Arrivals from India, for example, have recovered at 12 per cent above their pre-pandemic level, with visitor expenditure up 29 per cent on 2019.
Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox joined a delegation of Australian tourism and business events leaders this week on a four-day mission to strengthen ties with the Indian market.
The group met with key stakeholders and distribution partners in New Delhi and Mumbai from 11-14 November 2024, including Air India, IndiaGo, MakeMyTrip and Thomas Cook.
Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison also launched a video series during the mission starring cricketer David Warner, who shares some of his favourite holiday destinations, including Sydney.
SYDNEY SCORES WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP MATCHES
Matches have been confirmed for Stadium Australia and Western Sydney Stadium during the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™, which will take place from 1-21 March 2026. Supported proudly by Destination NSW, Asia’s top 12 teams will compete in the tournament, including the CommBank Matildas.
COUNTING DOWN TO THE NSW TOURISM AWARDS
NSW food and beverages will be showcased at the NSW Tourism Awards on 28 November 2024 during a gala ceremony at The Star, Sydney. Supported proudly by Destination NSW, winners will be recognised with gold, silver and bronze awards for their commitment to excellence.
TOURISM AUSTRALIA LAUNCHES VIDEO SERIES
Tourism Australia has created an industry video series, We are the Australian tourism industry, to highlight the importance of the visitor economy. The first episode was launched this week and the series will also feature at state and national tourism awards around the country.
REGIONAL EVENT FUND SUPPORTS TRIATHLON
The 2025 Huskisson Long Course Triathlon has been announced as the latest recipient of Destination NSW’s Regional Event Fund 2024/25. The Regional Event Fund has distributed almost $13 million since its inception to more than 470 events across regional NSW.
STRAWBERRY FIELDS CELEBRATES 15 YEARS
More than 10,000 people are expected to attend the Strawberry Fields art, music and camping festival from 14-17 November 2024. Supported proudly by Destination NSW's Regional Event Fund, the sold-out event will be held near Tocumwal.
WALCHA MOTORCYCLE RALLY REVS UP
The annual Walcha Motorcycle Rally will be held at Walcha Showground from 15-16 November 2024. Supported proudly by Destination NSW's Regional Event Fund, the event will feature a street procession, motorcycle-themed activities, entertainment and organised rides.
GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR REX AIRLINES
The Australian Government has announced it will provide financing of up to $80 million to keep Rex Airlines' regional routes running during an extension of its voluntary administration process. It will also continue to guarantee ticket sales made throughout the voluntary administration to 30 June 2025, should the Federal Court agree to the extension application.
GOOD FOOD GUIDE CELEBRATES STATE'S BEST
The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2025 has revealed its top restaurants, cafes, bars and pubs across NSW. Sydney's Saint Peter was named Restaurant of the Year, while Bangalow's You Beauty was named Regional Restaurant of the Year and the Critic’s Pick Award went to Gursha Ethiopian in Blacktown. Drinks List of the Year was awarded to Stonefruit in Tenterfield.
URBNSURF WINS PROJECT AWARD
URBNSURF Sydney Olympic Park has won Outstanding Tourism Project at Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue's Boomtown! Project of the Year Awards. The surfing facility opened in April 2024 and is designed to accommodate up to 84 surfers per hour and deliver up to 1000 surfing waves per hour. URBNSURF is now in the running for overall Project of the Year, which will be announced on 28 November 2024.
PARRAMATTA AQUATIC CENTRE ACCOLADES
Parramatta Aquatic Centre has been awarded Best Completed Building – Sport at the World Architecture Festival. It follows the facility winning Australia’s highest honour for urban design, the Sir Walter Burley Griffith Award, and being named Best Public Architecture at the Australian Institute of Architects National Architecture Awards, plus Facility of the Year at the 2024 Aquatic and Recreation Institute NSW Awards of Excellence.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
ASBK NIGHT RACES BACK UNDER LIGHTS IN 2025: Thanks to a renewed partnership with Destination NSW, round two of the 2025 ASBK Championship has been confirmed for Sydney Motorsport Park on 28-29 March 2025. Learn more
PROGRAM TO BOOST WOMEN'S EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: The NSW Government’s 2024-2025 Return to Work Pathways Program is open and will fund tailored projects aimed at supporting women experiencing barriers to employment. Learn more
NEW PLANNING FRAMEWORK TO SUPPORT NSW'S CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE: The NSW Government has developed a framework to promote faster planning decisions, provide investment certainty for industry and boost economic benefits. Learn more
RADIO PRESENTER TIM BLACKWELL TO HOST 2024 ARIA AWARDS: The awards will be held on 20 November at Sydney's Hordern Pavilion, supported proudly by Destination NSW. Learn more
FOLLOW DESTINATION NSW ON LINKEDIN: Stay up to date with all the latest Destination NSW initiatives by following us on LinkedIn. Click here
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