Insights - 20 September 2024
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2024 VISITOR ECONOMY FORUM THEME
AND KEYNOTE SPEAKER ANNOUNCED
Industry leaders, experts and stakeholders will gather at the ICC Sydney on 3 October 2024 for the NSW Visitor Economy Forum.
The full-day event will feature the theme ‘Experience NSW’ and focus on the rising interest in authentic, interactive experiences that enable visitors to connect with local culture, natural landscapes and vibrant communities when travelling.
As the NSW Government steers a new policy direction towards experience tourism, the event will discuss the latest trends, strategies and visitor experiences that will accelerate sector growth in the coming years.
Seven Network presenter and regional NSW accommodation business owner Edwina Bartholomew will host the forum, which will include a keynote address by former Lonely Planet Executive Director and Chief Technology Officer Gus Balbontin (pictured above).
International market updates will also be given by Destination NSW regional directors and managers.
Six deep-dive panel sessions will be held at the 2024 Visitor Economy Forum, each exploring specific growth opportunities.
Attendees can select two sessions, with topic areas including 'International market insights: North Asia'; 'International market insights: South-East Asia and India'; 'International market insights: Western'; 'Connecting with visitors through culture'; 'Leveraging world-class events'; and 'The high-yield opportunity: business events and corporate travel'.
REGISTER TO ATTEND VISITOR ECONOMY FORUM
The 2024 Visitor Economy Forum is free to attend and open to all visitor economy stakeholders including operators, trade partners, industry representatives and government colleagues.
The full event program will be announced soon, along with further guest speakers.
Places are limited. Register here.
NEW SUPPORT FOR NSW MUSIC FESTIVALS
The NSW Government has announced new regulatory and financial support for music festivals battling increasing costs.
The support comes after the NSW Government committed to review the Music Festivals Act 2019. The review found the regulatory framework would benefit from a closer focus on harm reduction, industry sustainability and ensuring costs for festivals in NSW are at a level comparable to other states, while still prioritising health and safety at festival events.
As part of these reforms, music festivals across NSW may be eligible to receive two years of emergency funding assistance.
EOIs CLOSING SOON FOR VIVID SYDNEY 2025
Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest multi-artform festival, is calling on the best creative minds to submit ideas for next year’s event.
Musicians, thought leaders and food creatives are encouraged to be part of Australia’s largest event and showcase their work to a mass audience.
Vivid Sydney 2025 will take place from 23 May to 14 June 2025, with a program centred around the theme of Vivid Sydney, Dream.
Light and Cross Art Form EOIs have closed. Submissions for the Food, Music and Ideas pillars close on 27 September 2024.
NEW TRANS-TASMAN ROUTE ANNOUNCED
Jetstar is launching a new route between New Zealand and Sydney. Flights from Hamilton to Sydney are set to take off from 16 June 2025 and operate up to four times per week. The new service will provide more than 75,000 new seats each year between the two cities.
ETIHAD INCREASES SYDNEY FLIGHTS
Etihad Airways is boosting its flights to Sydney, announcing that its services will increase from daily to 10 per week in July 2025. These new services will cement Sydney Airport’s status as Australia’s most connected gateway to the Middle East by seats.
POWERHOUSE'S FUTURE IN ULTIMO GUARANTEED
The NSW Government has broadened the heritage listing for the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo, guaranteeing the site will remain a museum of applied arts and sciences into the future. Restoration and construction work at the museum is expected to be completed in 2027.
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CRUISING ON PORTS
Ports Australia has released its inaugural State of Trade report, which shows there were more than 1.6 million cruise passengers in Australia in 2022-2023, 18 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels. Australian ports also supported 700,000 jobs during the period.
SYMPOSIUM TO TACKLE SKILLS SHORTAGE
The Australian Tourism and Hospitality Skills Symposium will be held on 26 November 2024. Convened by the Independent Tertiary Education Council
Australia, it will bring together key players from across the visitor economy to explore solutions to workforce gaps in the hospitality sector.
SUMMER TRAVEL TREND REPORT
American Express has released a report on the travel trends shaping the upcoming summer holiday season. It reveals Australians are embracing travel and experiences over traditional gift-giving. Priorities are shifting toward personal wellness, meaningful connections and one-of-a-kind gifts.
WOMEN'S GOLF EVENTS FOR REGIONAL NSW
Golf NSW has announced Wollongong Golf Club will host the 2025 Women’s NSW Open, while Coffs Harbour Golf Club will be the venue for the Australian Women’s Classic. Supported proudly by Destination NSW, the events will feature more than 130 of the world’s best female golfers from around 40 countries battling it out at the two venues. The Australian Women’s Classic will be held from 13-16 March 2025. The 2025 Women’s NSW Open will be held from 20-23 March 2025.
REGIONAL NSW TRIUMPHS AT DISTILLING AWARDS
The Royal Agricultural Society of NSW has announced the recipients of Sydney Royal Distilled Spirit Show. Yamba Distilling Co won Champion Traditional Gin, the Central Coast’s Pants Off Distillery claimed Champion Contemporary Gin, Lord Howe Island Distilling Co took home Champion Other Gin, Manly Spirits Co’s Grape & Grain Vodka won Champion Vodka, Lord Byron Distillery won Champion Cane Spirit or Rum, while Amber Lane Distillery took home Champion Single Malt Whisky.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
DESTINATION NSW LAUNCHES JETSTAR TACTICAL CAMPAIGN: The campaign will run from 24–28 September 2024, with a focus on promoting travel to Sydney and NSW, highlighting airfares on direct routes to Sydney, Ballina-Byron and Newcastle via the Jetstar network. Learn more
MOODY'S MAINTAINS TRIPLE-A CREDIT RATING FOR NSW: Moody’s cited the state’s strong governance and management as a factor in its determination. Learn more
APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR NSW ABORIGINAL LANGUAGES TRUST BOARD: Applications for all positions, including the chair and deputy chair, close on 7 October 2024. Learn more
CONSTRUCTION ON PARRAMATTA LIGHT RAIL STAGE 2 TO BEGIN IN 2025: The NSW Government has awarded a $322 million contract to John Holland to deliver the first part of the project. Learn more
THE STATE'S NEWEST NATIONAL PARK HAS BEEN NAMED: Cuttaburra National Park is located north-west of Bourke and protects vital wetlands, threatened ecological communities and an array of rare species. Learn more
UPGRADING OF FIRE TRAILS AHEAD OF BUSHFIRE SEASON: The NSW Government is undertaking helicopter inspections of fire trails across the state to prioritise maintenance work needed ahead of the summer bush fire season. Learn more
TOYOTA TO ENTER REPCO SUPERCARS CHAMPIONSHIP FROM 2026: The brand's inclusion is anticipated to elevate the sport on both the domestic and international stages. Supercars is 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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