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QANTAS JOINS FORCES WITH DESTINATION NSW TO CELEBRATE 100 YEARS IN STYLE
Qantas and Sydney were in the global spotlight this week with a spectacular low-level flyover and light show to commemorate the airline’s 100th birthday.
The stunt, a partnership between Destination NSW and Qantas, took the airline's 100th birthday message to the world by bringing together two world-renowned Australian icons – the Flying Kangaroo and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
After taking off at sunset from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, the Qantas B787 Dreamliner performed a mid-air salute to a former Qantas B747-400 at the HARS Aviation Museum at Illawarra Regional Airport and a nostalgic pass over Rose Bay, the base for Qantas’s Empire Flying Boats between 1938 and 1942. It then flew at a low altitude over Sydney Harbour Bridge spectacularly ‘blowing out’ 65-metre-high candles projected onto the iconic structure’s north and south pylons.
Guests on the Centenary Scenic Flight enjoyed a special pre-flight event in the Qantas Business Lounge with performances by actor/musician Hugh Sheridan and commemorative messages from NSW Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce and Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox.
Destination NSW helped curate the pre-flight festivities with a taste of Orange – one of Qantas’s new regional NSW destinations for 2020 – with a dramatic Printhie sparkling wine tower and a selection of wines from Orange wineries, Swinging Bridge and Philip Shaw.
Destination NSW also donated a Sydney Milestones Playcay package, helping to raise at auction more than $10,000 for Qantas Pathfinders and its charity partner, Royal Institute of Deaf and Blind Children. The package included two nights’ accommodation at the Four Seasons Sydney, Sydney Seaplanes’ fly’n’brunch experience, dinner at ARIA, tickets to Pippin and more.
Qantas – the world’s longest continuously operating airline – has been a stalwart of the NSW tourism industry and the Sydney business community throughout its 100-year history. For 80 of those years, the airline has called Sydney ‘home’, creating employment for thousands of NSW residents and boosting the visitor economy through the countless domestic and international arrivals each year.
Video and images of the Qantas Centenary Scenic Flight over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the pre-flight celebrations, generated media coverage in China, India, across Asia and Australia-wide.
The stunt also received widespread social media coverage – including on Destination NSW's Sydney Instagram account, which this week hit a milestone of its own amassing one million followers.
SYDNEY AND NSW GIVE TRAVELLERS 52 WEEKENDS WORTH OF INSPIRATION
Sydney and NSW have taken top billing in the 30th anniversary edition of Nine Publishing's Good Weekend’s 52 Weekends Away issue with a showcase of some of the state’s most-loved destinations and hidden gems.
A glossy directory of Australia’s hottest getaways, the annual 52 Weekends Away this year featured luxury escapes in Mudgee, the Blue Mountains, Port Stephens, Orange, Snowy Mountains, Southern Highlands, Byron Bay, Dubbo, Sydney, the Murray region and many more NSW locations.
This year’s edition generated significant interest in the NSW offering as well as reader inquiries to the featured properties. The average session time on Destination NSW’s consumer website - VisitNSW.com - almost doubled with visits and leads to operators increasing by 87 per cent and 118 per cent respectively over the same period last year.
Read excerpts from 52 Weekends Away online.
Good Weekend has the largest readership of any newspaper magazine insert in Australia, with a national readership of 942,000 predominantly in NSW and Victoria.
SYDNEY THE FIRST TO RE-OPEN MUSICAL STAGE DOORS
The curtains are joyfully going up again at theatres across Sydney, with the start of a blockbuster run of Australian premiere, world-class musicals.
Leading the charge is PIPPIN, which will be the first large-scale musical to return to Australian stages since theatres closed in March due to COVID-19. It will play exclusively at The Star from 24 November.
A week later, Disney’s Frozen will light up the Capitol Theatre following months of intense preparations behind the scenes, including the creation of 500 costumes and 150 wigs by more than 90 Sydney-based artisans.
Speaking to Nine News in this exclusive story, Frozen’s Costume Supervisor Janet Hine said: “We were at one point the only show still working in the world.”
The Australian premiere in Sydney will be the first time Frozen has been staged outside the USA.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres told Nine News: “It’s going to be Australians coming through stage doors for theatres before anyone else around the globe.”
Rounding out Sydney’s summer of blockbuster musicals, the Australian premiere of one of the most successful musicals of the decade, Hamilton, will be presented at the Sydney Lyric Theatre from March 2021.
For all live performances, businesses, residents and visitors must follow the latest NSW Health advice, available at nsw.gov.au/covid-19. The Sydney Lyric Theatre and Capitol Theatre will operate in accordance with their COVID Safety Plans, which are available on their websites.
PLANS FOR NEW YEAR’S EVE AND FESTIVE SEASON UNVEILED
The NSW Government has announced details for COVID-safe events ahead of the festive season, including arrangements for New Year’s Eve fireworks.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian this week confirmed that NSW would ring in 2021 with a seven-minute midnight New Year’s Eve fireworks display, with premium viewing spots reserved only for frontline workers as a thank you for keeping NSW safe throughout this unprecedented year.
People will require a New Year’s Eve Pass issued by Service NSW to be able to enter designated zones around Circular Quay, North Sydney and the city. Premium spots will be reserved for frontline workers around Mrs Macquarie’s Point, Sydney Opera House, Campbell’s Cove and Cahill Expressway, while an area around Circular Quay and North Sydney will be accessible only to venue patrons, hospitality workers, residents and guests of residents who have the Service NSW NYE Pass.
“New Year’s Eve is the chance for Sydney and NSW to shine on the world stage. Despite being a smaller celebration than normal, this New Year demonstrates that we are open for business and NSW will ring in 2021 with confidence,” Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said.
More information about New Year’s Eve is available via www.nsw.gov.au/NYE.
With less than six weeks to Christmas, the NSW Government has also revised other public gathering restrictions. From Monday 23 November there will be an increased capacity for outdoors singing and carols of up to 30 singers (any attendees 12 years or older must wear a mask) and for controlled outdoor events (such as concerts) that are ticketed and held in an enclosed or fenced area. See the latest details at nsw.gov.au/covid-19.
BUSINESS LEADERS PLANNING EVENTS IN AUSTRALIA
Australian business leaders are becoming increasingly optimistic about planning domestic corporate events, according to new research from Tourism Australia.
The agency’s specialist business events team – Business Events Australia –has published the findings of its latest online survey of 459 corporate event decision makers in Australia.
The survey revealed the proportion of businesses planning domestic events within the next six to 12 months has increased to 59 per cent, up from 48 per cent when the first wave of research was completed in August 2020.
When asked whether they were planning events in the next 12 to 24 months, 73 per cent said yes.
While there was a recognition of the need for virtual and hybrid events, there is still a preference for face-to-face meetings with 54 per cent of respondents saying the format of their future events would be in-person.
Destination NSW is offering its assistance to organisations planning business events in regional NSW with specialist information and other resources. With some of the world’s best wines, hatted restaurants, exciting events, world-class wilderness and spectacular ocean beaches, business event organisers will find the ideal event opportunity in NSW.
Visit meetinnsw.com.au for more information or contact a member of Destination NSW’s Regional Conferencing team at conferencing@dnsw.com.au. In addition to the website, Destination NSW offers a suite of fact sheets for 40 conference destinations around the state, upcoming familiarisation tours, and assistance on the myriad ways destinations and venues can promote themselves as a business events location.
VISIT RIVERINA LAUNCHES SOCIAL MEDIA COMPETITION
Visit Riverina NSW has launched its new #VisitRiverina social media competition, encouraging locals and visitors to snap and submit images of their favourite places in The Riverina.
The competition is running over four weeks, with each week based around a specific theme. This week’s theme is Water, which will be followed by Culture and Heritage, Food and Drink, and Outdoor Adventure.
There are great prizes to be won, including products and experiences from across The Riverina, with a People’s Choice winner to be announced in mid-December.
Competition entrants are asked to share their favourite photos for each themed week on Facebook and Instagram using the #VisitRiverina hashtag and complete the entry form on The Riverina website.
To find out more and read the terms and conditions, click here.
#WEARECRUISE: CRUISE INDUSTRY ASKS SUPPORTERS TO GET ON BOARD
The Australian cruise community is calling on the public to get behind its latest campaign in a show of support for the global industry, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The industry is worth more than $5 billion and supports 25,000 jobs in Australia and New Zealand, including travel agents and tour operators, farmers, winemakers, port workers and technical service providers.
But since March this year, cruise ships have been unable to enter any port in Australia due to restrictions introduced to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has drawn on some of these personal stories as part of its #WeAreCruise initiative to unite the cruise community and help build the case for a carefully planned revival, which includes a commitment to extensive new health and safety protocols.
CLIA has developed a range of assets for people to use on social media to show their support for the industry, which can be downloaded here.
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA OUTLINES FUTURE DIRECTION
The Virgin Australia Group entered an exciting new chapter this week, exiting voluntary administration after completing the sale to new owner Bain Capital. The Group’s new CEO and Managing Director, Jayne Hrdlicka, formally commenced in the role and outlined the company’s future vision. Ms Hrdlicka noted the airline would target passengers in the middle of the market who want a more premium experience at an affordable and competitive rate. Virgin Australia will also undertake a review of its business class offering and in-flight WiFi and entertainment, new self-service and assisted check-in and baggage drop facilities, as well as a network of lounges across major airports. Learn more here.
THE BLUE MOUNTAINS NEW ROARSOME EXPERIENCE
Readers: just when you thought you had seen everything, the Blue Mountains has a new attraction - Dinosaur Valley. Step back in time with this exclusive experience at Scenic World, which explores the Jurassic period. Visitors will meet dozens of life-sized dinosaurs among the ancient rainforest, join Dino Rangers on a 90-minute tour to learn fun facts about the prehistoric creatures, before wrapping up the adventure on board the world’s steepest railway. Dinosaur Valley, which is back by popular demand after much acclaim in 2018, will open on 26 November. Due to physical distancing requirements, capacity is limited with entry via timed tickets, booked online only. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
EXPLORE SYDNEY'S MOST FAMOUS HOUSE
Ever wondered about the story behind the design of Sydney Opera House?Visitors now have the chance to learn from those who know it best. Sydney Opera House has introduced a new range of tours including the Architectural Tour, which will give visitors the opportunity to discover how Danish architect Jørn Utzon dreamed up its iconic shape, which in Frank Gehry’s words, 'changed the image of an entire country.' This special tour will operate on Fridays and Saturdays from 4-19 December. Visitors are encouraged to purchase tour tickets in advance online. For those unable to visit Sydney Opera House in person, the organisation is offering a Guided Digital Tour via Zoom, which runs for 45 minutes, three times every Monday. Find out more and book here.
INTERCONTINETAL SYDNEY $95M REDEVELOPMENT GIVEN GREEN LIGHT
The InterContinental Sydney is about to undergo a major facelift, with construction underway on the $95 million redevelopment. The refurbishment of the former NSW Treasury building will cover all 500-plus guest rooms and corridors, the ground level including the Macquarie Street entry, reception areas, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant and level 31 gym and pool. Members of the public will be invited to enjoy a new public bar within the heritage central court, along with a new bar within the level 32 InterContinental Lounge. The hotel will remain open throughout most the works, which are expected to be completed in early 2022.
EXTENDED CLOSURE OF SUMMIT TRACK
National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) has extended the closure of Wollumbin National Park due to safety issues with the Wollumbin Summit track. The Park was initially closed in March to comply with COVID-19 rules on public gatherings and physical distancing. NPWS will now consider the future of the Summit track in consultation with key community and tourism stakeholders, with the closure to be reviewed in May 2021. Visitors are encouraged to check out alternative experiences in the area, including the Pinnacle walking track and lookout in the Border Ranges National Park. Visitors are advised to check alerts before travelling.
NETFLIX SERIES SECURED FOR NSW
Western Sydney will be home to a major international screen production starring Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actress Toni Collette and acclaimed actor David Wenham. Pieces of Her will be filmed in NSW after being secured through the Australian Government’s Location Incentive program and Screen NSW’s Made in NSW fund. The eight-episode Netflix adaptation of The New York Times bestselling thriller will contribute an estimated $58 million to the state’s economy and deliver 400 jobs for local cast and crew along with catering, security and other on-set operations.
