100 DAYS UNTIL VIVID SYDNEY LIGHTS UP
THE NSW VISITOR ECONOMYThe countdown to Vivid Sydney 2024 has officially begun, with 14 February marking 100 days until the festival’s Lights On moment. Celebrating creativity, innovation and technology, Vivid Sydney will dazzle and delight audiences from 24 May to 15 June across four pillars - Vivid Light, Vivid Music, Vivid Ideas and Vivid Food. Owned, managed and produced proudly by Destination NSW, Vivid Sydney is a vital economic driver for NSW during the winter months. The festival achieved the biggest attendance record and largest visitor expenditure in its history in 2023, boasting a crowd of more than 3.48 million and $206.1 million in visitor expenditure. The festival also boosted the visitor economy throughout the state, with 36,500 Vivid Sydney visitors travelling to regional NSW and spending an estimated $21.7 million. The theme for Vivid Sydney 2024 is Humanity, shining a spotlight on what makes us human – love, kindness, compassion and creativity. The community-focused festival will once again transform the Harbour City into an illuminating kaleidoscope of colour. The 2024 program will boast a mesmerising free public exhibition of outdoor lighting sculptures and 3D projections, cutting-edge contemporary music events, innovative creative industry forums and talks at Vivid Ideas, as well as a dedicated Vivid Food program that will be a feast for the senses. The program for Vivid Sydney 2024 will be announced in March.
SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS
PUTS THE SPOTLIGHT ON NSWSydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2024 kicks off today, bringing its glittering magic to the city from 16 February to 3 March. The festival will celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community with more than 100 community events, dance parties, theatre and music, culminating in the world-renowned Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade on 2 March 2024. Destination NSW is a proud supporter of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, which is the showpiece event of the festival. With more than 12,500 participants and a 250,000 strong audience in 2023, the parade represents a growing celebration of diversity and cultural significance for NSW. This aligns with Destination NSW's broader vision to promote inclusivity and
economic development, contributing to the ongoing success of this important event. The festival is a major driver for the NSW visitor economy, while also showcasing Sydney to millions of people throughout Australia and around the world via broadcasts and social media. In 2023 there were 40,731 domestic media mentions of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and Sydney WorldPride, which ran concurrently with the festival. On ABC alone there were 1.1 million broadcast views, plus 23 million social media video views across ABC platforms. There was an additional audience of 548,870 on other social media platforms, plus 8.3 million page views of web content.
SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR TO HEADLINE BONDI BEACH PARTYSophie Ellis-Bextor has been announced as headline performer at Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras’ Bondi Beach Party on 24 February 2024. The British singer's iconic Murder on the Dancefloor will be a highlight of her set. More than 20 years since its release, the song has climbed back to the top of the charts, thanks to it featuring in the film Saltburn.
NSW DOMINATES 2024 WOTIF
AUSSIE TOWN OF THE YEAR AWARDSWotif has crunched the numbers to find the top 10 Australian destinations for its 2024 Aussie Town of the Year Awards and three of them are in NSW! Griffith, Bathurst and Broken Hill made the coveted list, with the results based on factors such as accommodation searches on Wotif.com in 2023 compared to 2022, affordability, quality and quantity of accommodation, plus traveller reviews. Broken Hill took second spot on the list, with Wotif highlighting the town’s spectacular Broken Heel Festival, alongside its ruggedly beautiful landscapes and sacred Aboriginal historic sites. Griffith was celebrated for its Italian heritage, reflected in the town’s vibrant café, restaurant and
winemaking scene. Bathurst was lauded as the home of Australian motorsport in addition to having four world-class museums. Destination NSW's partnership with Channel Seven’s Weekend Sunrise program will see JT Travels NSW broadcast live from Griffith on 18 February.
SXSW SYDNEY SPEAKER SUBMISSIONS OPEN
SXSW Sydney has issued an open invitation to creators, thought provokers and innovators to submit ideas to its 2024 panel and speaker program. The inaugural SXSW Sydney featured 1178 sessions and events and welcomed more than 287,000 attendees and participants from 41 countries. Supported proudly by Destination NSW, it showcased Sydney as the creative industries capital of the Asia Pacific. This year promises to be even bigger and better, with the program kicking off on 14 October. If you have a panel, presentation, workshop, meet up or podcast that aims to inspire real change, submit your ideas to SXSW Sydney’s Session Select.
DESTINATION NSW HOSTS WELLNESS WEBINAR
Join Destination NSW and wellness expert, Katherine Droga from Droga & co, along with guest speakers from Currajong Retreat and Watersports Guru for a 'Creating Wellness Experiences' webinar on 29 February 2024. It will explore opportunities in the growing wellness sector for NSW visitor attractions, accommodation and tour and activity providers. While wellness travel is often associated with spas, health resorts, and yoga retreats, the webinar will show how NSW accommodation and experience providers can add wellness elements to their visitor experiences. The webinar is presented as part of the NSW First Program.
DOMESTIC AIRLINE COMPETITION REPORT
The ACCC Domestic Airline Competition in Australia report reveals domestic airfares generally fell in 2023 after reaching record highs in 2022, but cancellations and delays remain higher than long-term industry averages. The report shows that average revenue per passenger, which represents average prices across all fare types, was 13.4 per cent lower in December 2023 than in December 2022, in real (inflation-adjusted) terms. About 4.8 million people flew domestically in December 2023, which was about 94 per cent of December 2019 levels. Combined seat capacity of airlines was six million, about 95 per cent of December 2019 capacity.
OVERSEAS ARRIVALS: DECEMBER 2023
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released international arrivals data for December 2023, which shows there were 351,760 short-term visitor arrivals to NSW, an increase of 109,710 compared with December 2022. The number of trips was 9.5 per cent lower than pre-COVID-19 levels in December 2019. The three leading source countries for NSW were the United States (47,090 trips), New Zealand (39,580) and the United Kingdom (38,710). Holidaying was the most common reason for visiting Australia, accounting for 40 per cent of travellers in 2023. There were 41,670 international student arrivals to Australia, which was 7.7 per cent higher than December 2019.
DESTINATION NSW HEADS TO AIME
The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME), the leading trade event for the meetings and business event industry, will be held at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre from 19–21 February 2024. The Destination NSW/BESydney stand will feature 40 operators and destinations from across the state, who will hold more than 800 appointments during the event. Around 100 additional buyers and trade media are expected to visit the NSW stand for networking opportunities.
REGIONAL HOTELS REAP SWIFT REWARDS
It's not just Sydney hotels that are benefiting from Taylor Swift's upcoming tour. Accor Pacific Chief Operating Officer PME Adrian Williams said: “Occupancies are at unparalleled levels over the concert periods and we have also seen a surge in regional demand as Swifties take the opportunity to travel further." Hilton Sydney is anticipating 100 per cent occupancy during the concert dates, while Pro-invest Group Chief Operating Officer Shantha de Silva said restaurant bookings had also been boosted.
SAILGP RETURNS TO SYDNEY HARBOUR
SailGP returns to Sydney Harbour for the KPMG Australia Sail Grand Prix on 24-25 February 2024. There will be a wide range of free and ticketed spectator experiences both on and off-water. Team Australia will race against the sport’s best athletes from nine other nations – Switzerland, Canada, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Germany, New Zealand, Spain and the United States. SailGP is supported proudly by Destination NSW.
SUPERCARS REVS UP FOR 2024 SEASON
Supercars has previewed its 2024 season, with teams heading to Mount Panorama for the season-opening Thrifty Bathurst 500 on 23-25 February. Preceded by the Repco Bathurst 12 Hour GT endurance race, the Bathurst 500 is part of the Bathurst SuperFest, bringing more than 10 days of on-track action and off-track entertainment to the Bathurst district. Bathurst SuperFest is supported proudly by Destination NSW.
PATH FORWARD FOR HUME AND HOVELL TRACK
A 10-year strategic plan to upgrade and boost the iconic Hume and Hovell Track and better support the visitor economy and communities along its route has been completed. Extensive consultations were held with visitor economy stakeholders, community members, local councils, Aboriginal organisations, and agencies including the National Parks and Wildlife Service and NSW Forestry Corporation to help develop the strategic plan. It identifies a range of opportunities with recommendations to make the track better for bushwalkers, campers, families and visitors.
NEW PARTNERSHIP TO CLOSE THE GAP IN NSW
NSW has become the latest jurisdiction to sign a state-based Closing the Gap partnership agreement to help improve Aboriginal health, education and social outcomes. The agreement has been co-signed by the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (NSW CAPO) and Local Government NSW. NSW Premier Chris Minns said: "NSW Government is now the second jurisdiction to develop its own state-based partnership agreement and the only jurisdiction to involve Local Government representation. The agreement is a key outcome of our Closing the Gap work."
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR CUTAWAY BARANGAROO
Work will soon start on the fit-out of the Cutaway at Barangaroo. It will transform the site from a concrete shell to a cultural destination featuring event and gallery spaces and facilities including a commercial kitchen. The Cutaway is located under Barangaroo Reserve and close to the new Barangaroo Metro Station, which is set to open this year.
2024 RUGBY TESTS FOR SYDNEY CONFIRMED
A Wallaroos and Wallabies double header at Sydney's Allianz Stadium will headline a busy international season on home soil, with Rugby Australia confirming its inbound Test fixtures for 2024. The Wallaroos will clash with Fijiana on 6 July 2024, followed by the Wallabies welcoming Wales for the first time in more than a decade.
VALENTINE'S WEDDING BOOM AT OPERA HOUSE
Thirty-three couples tied the knot under the world-famous sails of the Sydney Opera House on Valentine’s Day, in civil wedding ceremonies offered by the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Starting at $1,299, the Registry’s Valentine’s Day weddings offer a cost-effective and novel way for couples to tie the knot, with the average Australian wedding costing $36,000. The Sydney Opera House has been a popular choice among those seeking an intimate wedding setting, with around 80 ceremonies celebrated at the iconic venue since the Registry opened this line of packages in 2021. Couples interested in booking a Registry wedding can visit the NSW Registry and Births, Deaths and Marriages website.
PINK SURPRISES SYDNEY THEATRE GROUP
Community theatre group PACA Sydney was thrilled last weekend when singer Pink attended a 3pm session of musical In The Heights at Chatswood Concourse. Pink even paid for her own tickets, attending with husband Carey Hart and their two children. Choreographer and event co-ordinator Janina Hamerlok said: “She complimented several of our leads individually and said she thought the production paid tremendous homage to the actual Latino community on who the musical is based. She was one of the first in the auditorium to give a standing ovation at the conclusion of the performance – it was a never to be forgotten moment for most of the cast and indeed myself who has always been a lifelong die-hard fan.”
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS DESTINATION AUSTRALIA 2024 PROGRAM RELEASED: The Tourism Australia conference will be held on 13 March 2024 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney with Karl Stefanovic as MC. Learn more SEVEN TRAIN STATIONS TO BE
UPGRADED: Seven train stations will receive upgrades as part of an $800 million election commitment by the NSW Government to accelerate accessibility upgrades at stations across the state. Learn more NEW REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR BUSINESS NSW: Scott Goold has replaced Paula Martin as Regional Director for the Central Coast. Martin has moved to a new role within Business NSW responsible for business advocacy across regional NSW. Learn more PLATYPUS RESCUE HQ OPENS IN DUBBO: The world’s largest purpose-built platypus conservation centre, Platypus Rescue HQ, has been opened at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Learn more QANTAS WINS 13 MEDALS AT CELLARS IN THE SKY AWARDS: The awards – which have been running since 1985 – recognise the best red, white, sparkling, fortified and dessert inflight Business and First Class wine lists of 30
global airlines. Learn more
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