NSW CELEBRATES NAIDOC WEEKThe 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week is being celebrated across the state from 7-14 July 2024. NAIDOC Week recognises the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is an opportunity to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. From Sydney Airport to Taronga Western Plains Zoo, NSW visitor economy stakeholders and businesses have been marking NAIDOC Week. Learn more here. The NSW Government is also helping more than 120 local communities and organisations to celebrate NAIDOC Week with $348,000 in grant funding. Learn more here.
Destination NSW is proud to celebrate NAIDOC Week, with staff participating in activities including a Dreamtime SouthernX Aboriginal Dreaming tour around The Rocks and a coil weaving workshop.
GROWING INTERNATIONAL DEMAND FOR
ABORIGINAL VISITOR EXPERIENCESTourism Research Australia's State of the Industry report has revealed that rising numbers of international visitors are engaging in First Nations activities. There were nearly one million international trips to Australia in 2023 that incorporated a First Nations activity, with an estimated one in seven international visitors participating. International visitor data shows more than half of these activities took place in NSW, with 583,500 travellers participating in an Aboriginal tourism experience in 2023.
NSW NAIDOC WEEK AWARD WINNERSCongratulations to the recipients of the 2024 NAIDOC Awards, including Female Elder of the Year 2024 Aunty Millie Ingram and Innovation Award winner Tui Nolan. Aunty Millie Ingram is a Wiradjuri Elder from Cowra who moved to Redfern during the 1950s. Aunty Millie has been a leader in various policy processes and initiatives aimed at supporting Aboriginal communities and self-determination. At 84 years old, she continues to serve her communities, supporting Elders, youth organisations and women in business. Tui Nolan is a
proud Gudjal man, who grew up in Sydney. He has dedicated the past nine years of his career to advancing machine learning models. His work in machine-learning has been applied to forecasting market trends, predictive economic modelling, improving robotics and satellite data, and enhancing data quality and accuracy.
AUSTRALIA'S MOST POPULAR WINTER DESTINATIONNew data has revealed NSW is the most popular state for Australians to visit this winter, while Sydney is the top city. The national survey by the Tourism & Transport Forum also showed the most popular NSW regional destinations to visit were the Far North Coast, Snowy Mountains, South Coast and Newcastle. The survey results indicated 74 per cent of Australians intended to go on a holiday this winter, up from 70 per cent in autumn. This included 34 per cent who plan to holiday in their own state or territory and 26 per cent who planned to
head interstate. One in four Australians also intended to visit an art gallery, museum or cultural event this winter, which is great news for Sydney as a recent Preply survey revealed the city is home to the most cultural experiences in the country. Tourism Research Australia data shows regional NSW was Australia’s favourite regional holiday destination in the year ending March 2024, attracting 66 million domestic visitors. Learn more here.
SYDNEY NAMED BEST CITY IN SOUTH PACIFICSydney has claimed the top spot in Travel + Leisure's 2024 World’s Best Awards survey in the Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific cities category. Travel + Leisure said: "This Aussie city is perpetually on the list, often in the No. 1 spot. This year, the cosmopolitan center reclaims top billing because, as one reader puts it, 'Sydney is one of those towns you will never forget'. "Its 100-plus gorgeous beaches and the iconic coastal walks between many of them stick with you, as does the outstanding restaurant and bar scene,
the stellar museums and galleries and the picturesque skyline dotted with architectural landmarks. The exceptional weather, friendly locals, and easy-to-navigate streets and waterways don’t hurt either.” Learn more here.
NEW TRENDS IN LUXURY TRAVELA new report has identified the latest trends in luxury travel in the Asia Pacific, with Australia the top destination over the next 12 months for 46 per cent of respondents. Emerging Luxury Travel Trends in Asia Pacific by Marriott International surveyed high-net-worth travellers in Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia and India. The results revealed gastronomy is an important consideration among luxury travellers, with 88 per cent picking their holiday destination based on discovering a new food or culinary
experience, 83 per cent choosing a destination to visit an award-winning restaurant and 35 per cent agreeing they will spend more on unique culinary experiences. Wellness travel was a rapidly growing sector, particularly among younger travellers, with 86 per cent of those aged 26-34 saying a wellness retreat is a motivating factor to travel this year versus 80 per cent of all respondents. 'Blesisure' travel was also rising, with 73 per cent of affluent travellers mixing leisure travel with business and 25 per cent of Indians combining the two on every trip.
SUSTAINABILITY FIRST FOR BALLOON ALOFTBalloon Aloft is the first visitor economy business in Australia to progress through the Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard and achieve Ecotourism Australia’s globally recognised Sustainable Tourism Certification. Destination NSW has extended its Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard program until 30 June 2025 for new registrants. Eligible businesses can gain free access to the pre-certification pathway program and assess their performance.
VIVID SYDNEY DRONE SHOW BOOSTS HOTELSThe ‘Love Is In The Air’ Vivid Sydney Drone Show and Sydney Film Festival lifted June hotel performance according to preliminary data from CoStar. Sydney posted its highest occupancy of the month (88 per cent) on 8 June 2024, which was the first night of the Vivid Sydney Drone Show and the fourth night of the Sydney Film Festival. Destination NSW owns, manages and produces Vivid Sydney and was a strategic sponsor of the 2024 Sydney Film Festival.
CONFERENCE SPENDING IN REGIONAL NSWThe latest Tourism Research Australia data for the year ending March 2024 shows domestic overnight conference visitors to NSW spent on average $530 per night, which is 133.8 per cent higher than what domestic leisure visitors spend per night. NSW visitor economy businesses can take advantage of the opportunities presented by the business events sector by creating a free listing on the Business Events NSW website.
CARAVAN AND CAMPING GROWTH FOR NSWNSW was the top destination for caravan and camping visitors nationally during the year ending March 2024. Tourism Research Australia data shows NSW welcomed 4.8 million trips, up 1.4 per cent on the previous year. The total number of visitor nights was 18.5 million, up 3.5 per cent on the previous year. The largest age group among caravan and camping visitors to NSW was 35-54 years (1.70 million trips or 35.4 per cent).
VALE FORMER CCIA NSW PRESIDENTDestination NSW extends its condolences to the family and friends of Caravan & Camping Industry Association NSW's (CCIA NSW) former President Theo Whitmont, who passed away last week. CCIA NSW said Mr Whitmont was instrumental in building and cementing its success as a strong, united association and would be terribly missed by many.
CHINATOWN GATES TO BE RESTOREDCity of Sydney is restoring the Chinatown Ceremonial Gates located on Dixon Street in Haymarket. The gates act as archways to Chinatown. Originally completed in 1980, the gates were heritage listed in April 2024. The project is part of a long-term plan to breathe new life into Haymarket and Chinatown, including waiving outdoor dining fees.
SPENDING ON TRAVEL AND DINING RISESThe monthly CommBank Household Spending Insights (HSI) Index rose 0.6 per cent in June, driven primarily by increased spending on recreation (up 3.2 per cent) and hospitality (up 2.1 per cent). Online travel bookings bumped up recreation spending, while pubs, taverns and bars and food delivery services were the biggest drivers of this month’s spending increase for hospitality.
SXSW SYDNEY ANNOUNCES KEYNOTE SPEAKERSThe first keynote speakers have been announced for SXSW Sydney 2024. The New York Times best-selling author of Magic Pill and Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention Johann Hari (pictured) and human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, who has been a long-standing member of the legal team defending Julian Assange, will take to the stage. Destination NSW is a proud partner of SXSW Sydney.
ANZAC DAY TRADING RESTRICTIONSThe NSW Government will extend retail trading restrictions on ANZAC Day to ensure the service of veterans is recognised and people can take part in services throughout the day. Currently, retail traders such as supermarkets and fashion stores are required to stay closed until 1pm, however this will be extended until midnight. A review into trading restrictions was held last year, with the majority of submissions supporting the move.
AUSTRALIA'S NUMBER ONE VISITOR EXPERIENCEAnderson’s Tours' Blue Mountains All-Inclusive Small Group Tour has been named the number one experience in
Australia by TripAdvisor's Travelers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best for 2024. The tour includes guided admission to Scenic World’s attractions, lunch at a Blue Mountains restaurant, a visit to Featherdale Wildlife Park or Sydney Zoo and a river cruise down the Parramatta River, passing under the Sydney Harbour Bridge into Sydney Harbour.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTSNET ZERO COMMISSION LAUNCHES: The NSW Government has launched the Net Zero Commission, an independent, expert body that will monitor, review and report on the state’s progress towards emissions reduction targets. Learn more REGISTRATIONS OPEN FOR TOURISM AUSTRALIA'S 2024 INDUSTRY BRIEFINGS: The
Sydney briefing will be held on 6 November 2024 and will include an update from Tourism Australia followed by networking. Register here OVERSEAS ARRIVALS TO AUSTRALIA IN MAY 2024: Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows there were 600,780 short-term visitor arrivals to Australia during May – an increase of 17.3 per cent on one year earlier. Learn more RECORD PRIZE PURSE FOR NSW OPEN: The 2024 NSW Open will head to the Murray Downs Golf and Country Club from 14-17 November, supported proudly by Destination NSW, with Australia’s best golfers competing for a record-setting purse of $800,000. Learn more 24-HOUR ECONOMY ADVISORY COUNCIL EOI SUBMISSIONS OPEN: The council will play a crucial role in shaping the future of NSW’s night-time economy, fostering vibrant, safe and sustainable communities. Learn more OPENING DATE SET FOR NEW SYDNEY METRO CITY: Subject to final testing and regulatory approvals the launch date will be 4 August 2024. Learn more REGISTRATIONS OPEN FOR REGIONAL EVENTS SIGNATURE PROGRAM: Australian Centre for Regional Events, formerly rEVENTS Academy, has opened registrations for its 12-week program for event organisers seeking to revitalise their events. Learn more UPGRADE OF HENSON PARK UNDERWAY: Work has begun on the upgrade following a $12.5 million funding agreement between the Australian Government, NSW Government, the AFL and Inner West Council. Learn more
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