WEST SIDE STORY CAST ANNOUNCED

The smash-hit Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour production West Side Story is returning for a limited four-week season from 22 March 2024. The inaugural 2019 season was the most successful Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour production of all time, attracting record audience numbers and selling more than 65,000 tickets. Indigenous soprano Nina Korbe will make her professional theatrical debut as Maria while Tony will be played by Billy Bourchier, following his multi-city run in Opera Australia’s acclaimed production of Miss Saigon. Watch a preview video of the stars here. Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is supported proudly by Destination NSW.

VIVID SYDNEY LOCAL BUSINESS WEBINAR

Destination NSW will host a Vivid Sydney Local Business Opportunities webinar on
7 February 2024. Vivid Sydney will transform the city from 24 May to 15 June and the webinar will be an opportunity to learn more about joining the Vivid Sydney Local Business Program. It will cover inclusions and advantages for participating businesses, information on the various tiers of involvement available, how and when to apply and tips for effectively promoting and selling your experiences leading up to the festival. Becoming part of the program is an opportunity to provide an offer or memorable experience during the festival or enhance your storefront window with Vivid Sydney assets.

DESTINATION NETWORKS SEEK DIRECTORS

Destination NSW, on behalf of the Destination Networks, is inviting applications for four Director roles, two for Destination Country and Outback and two for Destination Central West. Destination Networks are the champions of the visitor economy in regional NSW, engaging with stakeholders to identify, prioritise and facilitate opportunities to grow their visitor economies. A Board Director Recruitment Pack is available that includes the role description, how to apply and the requirements. Applications close 2 February 2024.

FOCUS ON INDIA SHOWCASE RETURNS 

Destination NSW will host its second annual Focus On India 2024 event in Sydney on 20 March 2024. Focus On India will showcase NSW products and destinations to key India-based travel buyers and will include an appointment-based workshop for export ready NSW visitor economy businesses. View the prospectus link below for more information and the selection criteria, plus a link to the online application form. Registrations close on 24 January 2024. View a highlights video from Focus On India 2023 here. 

SUPPORT FOR ILLAWARRA BUSINESSES

The iAccelerate Rise program run by the University of Wollongong is supporting new and existing regional businesses in 2024 with workshops, online learning and a network of experts to help them grow and scale. Upcoming events include a First Nations one-day workshop in Bateman’s Bay on 20 February; a High Quality Food & Agribusiness online information session on 21 February; the High Quality Food Production, Agribusiness RISE program; an ecotourism online information session; and the Ecotourism RISE program. 

STRIVE 4 SUSTAINABILITY WEBINAR

Visitor economy businesses are encouraged to complete an Expression of Interest for free access to the pre-certification Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard, delivered in partnership with Ecotourism Australia.  By completing the scorecard, businesses will have the ability to measure business sustainability performance and make informed decisions to enhance and promote sustainable practices.  Experts from Ecotourism Australia will host a webinar on 30 January covering quick tips for completing the program. 

WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT METRO UPDATE

Work is powering ahead on the Western Sydney Airport Metro line with nearly one kilometre of a new bridge between Orchard Hills and Luddenham completed. Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said: “Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport will become the new transport spine for Greater Western Sydney connecting travellers from the new airport to a growing region and the rest of Sydney’s public transport system. People will be able to step off a plane and onto a train as soon as the airport opens its doors. When complete, Luddenham Station will deliver a rail service to the future research, innovation and commercial precinct in Luddenham and provide world-class travel for people in an area with limited public transport options.”   

CENTRAL COAST'S GREEN ACCOLADE

The Central Coast is one of only six global regions nominated in the Destination Management category of the Green Destinations Story Awards 2024. It follows the Central Coast being named in the Green Destinations Sustainable Top 100 Destinations Awards for a third year running. The Central Coast, a certified ECO Destination with Ecotourism Australia since 2022, was the only Australian destination in the Top 100 List for 2023 and the Green Destinations Story Awards 2024. The region's sustainability story - 'A Destination of Eco Advocates with Whales, Alpacas and Wheels' - focusses on the journey by local operators to achieve ECO accreditation. Winners will be announced on 6 March at the travel industry event ITB Berlin 2024. Voting is also open in the People's Choice category, vote here. 

DESTINATION AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE FOR SYDNEY

Tourism Australia's annual Destination Australia conference will be held on 13 March 2024 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney. Its theme is ‘The next chapter for sustainable growth’, which aims to evolve the conversation around the next phase of sustainable growth for the visitor economy. Industry leaders and topic experts will discuss evolving trends areas of focus, including aviation, distribution, AI, emerging sectors, marketing and accessibility and inclusion. 

FIRST LOOK AT NEW PENRITH STADIUM

The NSW Government has unveiled the draft plans for the new Penrith Stadium, which will transform the precinct into a modern venue for sport and entertainment. The redevelopment will include a new western grandstand and a significantly redeveloped eastern grandstand, increasing the ground capacity to 25,000. There will be more food and beverage outlets and amenities, new scoreboards, sound systems and upgraded lighting and four new changerooms for players.

FIRST NATIONS TOURISM FORUM

Destination Country and Outback in partnership with NSW Aboriginal Tourism Operators Council (NATOC) is hosting a workshop focused on visitor economy opportunities for First Nations businesses. The workshop will be held at Brewarrina Visitor Information Centre on 5 March 2024. Participants will hear from a range of industry specialists about opportunities for business development, mentoring programs and more. This event is free to attend and includes lunch, however pre-registration is required.

ICONIC NGA SCULPTURE HEADING TO NOWRA

An outdoor sculpture by American artist Barnett Newman titled 'Broken Obelisk' will be transported from Canberra next month to its new home for the next five years: Shoalhaven Regional Gallery in Nowra. The sculpture is the latest major loan announced by the Australian Government under its Sharing the National Collection program. The program has allocated $11.8 million over four years for transporting, installing and insuring works in the national art collection so that they can be seen across the country.

SELLING EXPERIENCES ONLINE

Join Destination NSW for a free, half-day Sell Online virtual workshop on 6 February 2024 and find out how to increase bookings through online sales – both direct and indirect – by using online booking software, creating effective ATDW-Online listings and working with online travel agents. The workshop will suit businesses such as accommodation, tours and attractions including museums, galleries, wineries, distilleries, breweries and farm gates.

CENTRAL WEST RECOVERY PACKAGE

Recovery efforts in the Central West will be boosted under the joint Commonwealth and State Government $100 million Central West Recovery and Resilience Package. The funding package includes $57 million to replace vital transport infrastructure such as bridges and flood crossings and improve roads. It will also focus on places that bring communities and visitors together, such as sporting fields, parks and playgrounds, recreational centres and libraries.

SYDNEY STARS IN NEW QANTAS SAFETY VIDEO

Qantas is rolling out a new onboard safety video that highlights Sydney as a "magic place" to visit. The video features front line team members and Frequent Flyers taking viewers on a journey through key safety information from unique destinations in Australia and around the world. They share the information from their “magic place” destinations, with Sydney the only Australian city appearing in the video, which will be seen by more than 50 million passengers each year.

AGRITOURISM ACCELERATOR PROGRAM

Destination Central West NSW is inviting agritourism businesses, graziers and farmers to attend a hands-on learning and networking event on 27 February 2024. The session aims to provide information on how to diversify into agritourism and will give a framework on how to run a successful agritourism business. It will include a two-hour masterclass, a tour of the Glen Donald Estate agritourism business and one-on-one mentoring sessions.