Insights - 9 August 2024
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NSW VISITOR ECONOMY FORUM 2024
REGISTRATIONS OPEN
The NSW Visitor Economy Forum is returning for 2024, with the full-day event to take place on 3 October at the ICC Sydney.
Stakeholders will have an opportunity to come together, share insights and hear from industry experts to further understand what will shape the year ahead and drive growth in the NSW visitor economy.
Those who attended the event in 2023 heard from representatives from Google, McCrindle, Tourism Australia and the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, alongside industry leaders in events, wellness travel, culinary experiences and more.
The forum is free to attend and Destination NSW invites all visitor economy stakeholders including operators, trade partners, industry representatives and government colleagues to register.
VIVID SYDNEY 2025 DATES AND THEME ANNOUNCED
Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere's largest multi-art form festival, will return in 2025 from 23 May to 14 June with a program centered around the theme of 'Vivid Sydney, Dream'.
In 2025, Vivid Sydney will once again elevate Sydney's world-class cultural experiences across the four festival pillars of Light, Music, Ideas and Food.
Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox said: “Since 2009, Vivid Sydney has grown to become Sydney’s vibrant cultural showpiece, driving significant visitation to Sydney and regional NSW and positioning our state as the arts and creative industries capital of the Asia Pacific.
“Vivid Sydney is more than a light show, it is Sydney’s living legacy that captures imaginations and shares with visitors and locals alike the very best talent from our creative, entertainment and hospitality industries."
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST OPEN FOR VIVID SYDNEY 2025
The Vivid Sydney team is seeking expressions of interest from artists, musicians, thought leaders and food creatives for the opportunity to be part of Australia’s largest event and showcase their work to a mass audience across the festival’s four pillars.
Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini said: “Vivid Sydney 2025 is pushing the creative boundaries across our theme of 'Dream' to deliver another unforgettable global celebration.
"We want the very best in homegrown talent to be part of our vibrant Vivid Sydney event program, with a unique opportunity to foster community connection, spark imagination and showcase the multitude of ways creativity can enrich our lives."
INBOUND VISITOR STRATEGY WORKSHOPS AHEAD OF NEW AIRPORT INFRASTRUCTURE FOR NSW
The opening of Western Sydney International Airport and expansion of Newcastle Airport will provide a once-in-a-lifetime growth opportunity for the NSW visitor economy.
Destination NSW is holding a series of Inbound Strategy Workshops in September 2024 for visitor economy businesses to prepare them for selling experiences via travel distribution channels to international visitors arriving into NSW through these airports.
A new international terminal and infrastructure upgrades are due to be completed at Newcastle Airport in early 2025, while Western Sydney International Airport is on track to open in 2026. Both airports will provide new gateways to the state for millions of domestic and international visitors.
The Inbound Strategy Workshops will be held in the following locations:
- Hunter Valley - 3 September
- Newcastle - 5 September
- Sydney CBD - 10 September
- Parramatta - 12 September
- Blue Mountains - 17 September
A virtual workshop will also be held on 19 September.
FOCUS ON NORTH ASIA TRADE EVENT
Destination NSW's inaugural Focus on North Asia 2024 event will be held on 14 and 15 November 2024, bringing around 60 key travel buyers from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea to NSW. NSW visitor economy suppliers will have the opportunity to showcase their products through B2B workshops, attend a networking gala dinner event and take part in a familiarisation program across Sydney and regional NSW.
AWARDS CELEBRATE NSW WINE INDUSTRY
The winners of the 2024 NSW Sommelier's Wine List Awards were announced and celebrated during a ceremony at Parliament House in Sydney. Hosted by NSW Wine, in partnership with Destination NSW, the awards acknowledge restaurants, wine bars, pubs, clubs and hotels in Sydney and regional NSW that offer exceptional dining experiences by showcasing the range of wines produced in NSW.
FREE WEBINAR TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS
Destination NSW is holding a free webinar on 21 August 2024 as part of its Choose Tourism NSW Program. The webinar will update visitor economy businesses on the latest techniques for attracting and retaining staff. Industry experts including Bart Sobies from iBooked.Online and Saray O’Connell from Hotel Etico will provide insights on building a skilled workforce.
AIME 2025 CO-EXHIBITION OPPORTUNITY
Expressions of interest to co-exhibit with Destination NSW at the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) are now open. AIME is the leading annual trade event for the business event industry. Taking place from 10-12 February 2025 at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, it is expected to attract more than 570 exhibitors and 3500 attendees.
NSW ECO TOURISM HONOURS
Scenic World in the Blue Mountains, which welcomes around 1 million visitors a year, has been inducted into the Ecotourism Australia Hall of Fame for reaching 20 years as a certified Advanced Ecotourism attraction. Tweed Eco Cruises has also been honoured as a ‘Green Travel Leader’ for their 10 years of certification. The globally recognised certification assures visitors they have chosen experiences committed to sustainability and positive impact.
NEW ACCOMMODATION AUSTRALIA CEO
Accommodation Australia has a new CEO with the appointment of James Goodwin, former CEO of the Australian Airports Association. The new appointment follows the retirement of former CEO Michael Johnson earlier this year. Mr Goodwin will be the second head of Accommodation Australia, which formed in July 2023 following the merger of Tourism Accommodation Australia and the Australian Accommodation Association.
VALE TERRY SNOW AM
1943-2024
Destination NSW extends its condolences to the family and friends of philanthropist and businessman, Terry Snow AM, who passed away this week. Mr Snow’s company purchased Canberra Airport in 1998 and developed it into an international airport surrounded by a retail precinct. Mr Snow also owned Willinga Park, a conference centre with equestrian facilities and accommodation on the South Coast. He was dedicated to philanthropy and invested hundreds of millions into community initiatives and medical research.
NIGHT-TIME ECONOMY TOOLKIT FOR COUNCILS
The Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner has launched a digital toolkit for councils to develop or refresh their local night-time economy strategies. The online toolkit helps councils to map the maturity of their local night-time economies. It sets out assistance to progress night-time economies, recognising every local area is different. Workshops were held with councils to familiarise them with the platform. Additional webinars on the toolkit and how the NSW Government is supporting vibrancy will be available soon.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
ROYAL NATIONAL PARK RECEIVES FIRST ECOLOGICAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT: The EcoHealth Scorecard is the first in the world to systematically integrate ecological health data and financial data into national park decision making. Learn more
NEW BOATING PROGRAM TO SUPPORT SAFER AND MORE ACCESSIBLE WATERWAYS: The NSW Government is funding boating infrastructure and dredging in key locations along the NSW coast. Learn more
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS: The 2024 NSW local government elections will take place on 14 September, with nominations closing at midday on 14 August. Learn more
AUSSIES URGED TO TRACK KOALA SIGHTINGS: CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, is calling on Australians to record koala sightings in the Koala Spotter app to help build the most accurate national population count to date. 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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