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NSW STILL AUSTRALIA'S NUMBER ONE DESTINATION
NSW continues its reign as Australia’s leading tourism State with record numbers of visitors turbocharging the economy, generating jobs and driving investment in local communities as they choose to visit NSW ahead of other States.
NSW has broken records with the latest round of National Visitor Survey results revealing in the year ending June 2018, 32.9 million domestic visitors (+9.3%) stayed 103.3 million nights (+6.7%) and spent $19.8 billion (+15.2%).
The impressive growth in spend (+15.2%) was almost double NSW’s nearest contender, Victoria (+8.0%). NSW leads Victoria by 8.3 million visitors, 31.7 million nights and $5.9 billion expenditure. Queensland was the third best performer however, NSW still led its northern rival by 10.5 million visitors, 13 million nights and $2.8 billion in expenditure.
Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said visitors were not just coming to see Sydney, but more people were travelling to regional towns to experience the State’s renowned hospitality and attractions.
“These results are the highest on record and show the work the NSW Government is doing in delivering results for the tourism industry which directly employs more than 171,000 people in our State,” Mr Marshall said.
MINISTER TO STRENGTHEN MALAYSIA AND SINGAPORE TOURISM TIES
Building stronger alliances and fostering partnership collaboration between the NSW Government and key airline and travel trade partners will be the focus of Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall’s overseas mission to Malaysia and Singapore.
Mr Marshall is on a three-day Trade mission this week, holding meetings with senior executives from AirAsiaX, Malaysia Airlines, Scoot and Singapore Airlines.
“South East Asia is an extremely important market for us, so the opportunity to meet with some of Malaysia and Singapore’s leaders in travel is critical in maintaining our strong relationship and continuing to attract international visitors to Sydney and regional NSW,” Mr Marshall said.
During his mission in Singapore, the Minister will support negotiations with key trade partners and Business Events Sydney at meetings with key corporate decision-makers considering Sydney for their global meetings.
The Minister will also host a dinner for key Singapore and hospitality and tourism investors where he will provide an update on NSW’s new tourism blueprint, the Visitor Economy Industry Action Plan 2030 and discuss investment opportunities for the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and the recent developments for Western Sydney Airport.
Image: Minister Marshall (third from left) and Destination NSW CEO, Sandra Chipchase (third from right) meet with Malaysia Airlines Group CMO, Arved von zur Muehlen (centre).
DETAILS OF DUKE AND DUCHESS OF SUSSEX'S VISIT ANNOUNCED
Further details of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s visit to NSW this month have been released by Kensington Palace.
A major focus for Their Royal Highnesses will be the Invictus Games, with the Duke and Duchess to support the competitors as they compete across a range of sports. This year’s Games will emphasise the integral role played by servicemen and women’s family and friends, and Their Royal Highnesses will spend time with a number of the competitors’ supporters as they cheer them on from the sidelines.
While in Sydney, Their Royal Highnesses will also visit Taronga Zoo, the Sydney Opera House and Bondi Beach and the Duke of Sussex will climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge to raise the Invictus Flag.
The Duke and Duchess will also travel to Dubbo, where they will visit the Royal Flying Doctor Service and see first-hand the hardships local farmers are facing as a result of the drought. Their Royal Highnesses will then travel to Victoria Park to join members of the public at a picnic to celebrate community spirit within the region. They will complete their time in Dubbo with a visit to a local school working to improve the education outcomes of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
For full details of the visit to NSW,
click here.
SPECIAL INVICTUS PIE FOR HAWKESBURY'S GLENORIE BAKERY
Founded in 2014, the Invictus Games uses the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate wider understanding and respect for wounded, injured and ill active service members and veterans.
The Hawkesbury's Glenorie Bakery has released a special Invictus Pie to raise funds for the Invictus Games, which will be staged across Greater Sydney, including Sydney Olympic Park and in and around Sydney Harbour, from 20-27 October.
The pie is on sale now and will be sold at the bakery until the Games’ closing ceremony on October 27.
With flavours inspired by the traditional cottage pie and English white rose, $5 from the sale of every pie will be donated to the Games.
The popular Glenorie Bakery was founded in 1994 by the Pirina family.
Image: Patrick Kidd, Invictus Games CEO (left) with Rob Pirina, Owner of Glenorie Bakery in The Hawkesbury.
DUBBO AND MUDGEE TO WELCOME MORE VISITORS FROM HONG KONG
Dubbo and Mudgee are likely to be on more Hong Kong travellers’ must-see lists, thanks to a cooperative marketing initiative between the State’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, and the Hong Kong travel trade.
Member for Dubbo Troy Grant said the collaboration with Cathay Pacific Airways and their top 10 travel agents was a new initiative for Destination NSW, designed to increase visitor expenditure in rural and regional NSW.
“Never before have we promoted travel itineraries that include Mudgee and Dubbo via Cathay Pacific Airways,” Mr Grant said.
“Last month the Hong Kong travel agents experienced our region first-hand, exploring Taronga Western Plains Zoo, Mudgee wineries and some of our best boutique luxury accommodation, helping them to promote and sell Country NSW to their clients back home.”
The promotion will run until the end of October 2018.
SYDNEY HOTEL INDUSTRY SET FOR TRANSFORMATION
Sydney’s hotel industry is set to undergo its most profound transformation ever, with a new generation of hotels expected to add over 11,000 rooms in the next ten years and introduce new hospitality concepts, according to a new hotel innovation research report released today by Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA).
The report highlights how new global and local hotel brands, new designs, new technologies and new guest-centric services are changing the face of Sydney’s – and Australia’s – accommodation sector.
TAA Chief Executive Officer Carol Giuseppi said, “Sydney is undergoing the most fundamental change to its accommodation sector since the arrival of international hotels in the 1970s.
“Already we have seen international groups like Hilton bring their cutting-edge Curio brand to Sydney, while Marriott has introduced the Autograph Selection, and Accor their boutique MGallery by Sofitel collection. Ovolo has its unique lifestyle hotels, IHG is planning Voco and Indigo hotels and there have been many other announcements of boutique brands planned for the city.
“The regeneration of Sydney’s accommodation sector is vital to the tourism market as international and domestic travel continues to grow strongly. With a full calendar of high-profile events and conferences, the new wave of hotels across the city will ensure Sydney is able to cater for future growth in demand for the foreseeable future.”
The full report is available via https://goo.gl/L3SGjM.
Image: Ovolo Hotels.
SYDNEY AND COFFS HARBOUR AWARDED WORLD FESTIVAL AND EVENTS CITIES
NSW has once again been recognised as the home of major events with Sydney and Coffs Harbour both bestowed the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) 2018 World Festival and Event City Award.
Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said, “This is the ninth time Sydney has won this accolade and is the only global destination to have received this Award annually since its inception.
“Vivid Sydney is undoubtedly the jewel in the crown, with the world’s largest festival of light, music and ideas this year attracting more than 2.2 million people and a record $172.9 million in visitor expenditure, completely reinvigorating the Harbour City’s traditionally quiet Winter trading period,” she said.
Coffs Harbour also received the Award for the fourth year in a row. The region has hosted some of the biggest sporting events in Australia over the past year, including Rally Australia, the Australian Ladies Classic and Women’s NSW Golf Open, the FFA National Youth Championships and two one-day internationals as part of the Women’s Ashes series.
In addition to Sydney and Coffs Harbour being named the IFEA World Festival and Event Cities, NSW scooped the pool with Vivid Sydney being announced the IFEA 2018 Grand Pinnacle Award winner along with 14 Gold Awards, five Silver Awards and one Bronze for major event marketing activities.
A full list of NSW’s wins at the 2018 IFEA Awards is available here.
DON'T MISS THE INBOUND WORKSHOP
IN BOWRAL
Registrations are closing soon for the Inbound Strategy Workshop in Bowral on Friday 19 October.
Find out how to target and sell to international visitors at this practical workshop, delivered by Destination NSW.
Tourism businesses can learn about tailoring products for international visitors, becoming
export-ready, preparing information for the travel trade and selling to international travellers through the travel trade and online.
Click here to register.
SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS LAUNCHES NEW COFFEE TRAIL
Destination Southern Highlands has launched its new ‘trail’ to help visitors explore and discover the region’s baristas and its high concentration of coffee outlets.
With 97 barista-made coffee spots, Southern Highlands now has another unique point of interest for foodies in addition to its recently developed Pie Trail with over 50 local pie makers.
Destination Southern Highlands has produced a unique Coffee Trail Map, available to download here.
DISCOVER THE RICH
HISTORY OF
PARRAMATTA
Visitors to Parramatta in Western Sydney can learn more about the unique history of the region at events taking place this October.
Noted maritime researcher and writer Peter Plowman will give a lecture on 6 October, discussing the history of Australian and New Zealand Passenger Ships from 1875 – 1980
and on 27 October a celebration of the 200th anniversary of John Macarthur's tree planting in Hambledon Cottage Reserve will take place.
For more information, click here.
SAVE THE DATE FOR REAL FESTIVAL
Real Festival is back with its best program yet, set to once again transform the Nepean River with world-class entertainment, activities and experiences from 2-3 November.
This year’s event will bring together Australia’s best creative minds and audiences can expect plenty of jaw-dropping stage performances, captivating artworks and more opportunities to get hands on, active, creative and inspired.
For more information, click here.
OUTDOOR BALLET IN WESTERN SYDNEY
Ballet Under The Stars returns to Western Sydney with a full-length production of the much-loved classic Giselle presented by The Australian Ballet this Saturday 6 October.
Ballet Under the Stars
is a highlight of The Australian Ballet’s annual calendar and this year’s performance is expected to attract around 8000 attendees. Giselle is a romantic and ethereal ballet that has been enchanting audiences since it first appeared on stage in Paris in 1841. Secure your free tickets here.
TASTE RIVERINA INDUSTRY LAUNCH
Event and tourism operators, hospitality business owners and tourism managers are invited to the Taste Riverina Industry Launch on Tuesday 16 October in Wagga Wagga.
The Launch is a free, informal session for Riverina operators to learn more about the new format OF Taste Riverina and how to get involved moving forward.
For more information, click here.
