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NSW FEELS THE LOVE - RECOVERY CAMPAIGN FLYING
Morning television presenters, industry operators, visitors and the public have been sharing their love for NSW every day this week following the launch of Destination NSW’s tourism recovery campaign last weekend.
On Saturday 8 February, Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres announced the Now's The Time To Love NSW campaign as part of a $10 million Tourism Recovery package developed to support the state’s visitor economy. The marketing component commenced with a double page spread in the Daily Telegraph which included a rally cry to book a getaway in NSW, to take photos featuring a love heart during the trip, and post them on social media with #LoveNSW.
An additional four-page wrap of the Sydney Morning Herald and Daily Telegraph will appear tomorrow, Saturday 15 February.
MEDIA COVERAGE
The groundswell of support for #LoveNSW got a major boost this week with the TODAY Show getting behind the movement. Destination NSW worked with local operators in Port Macquarie, Hunter Valley, Blackheath, Ulladulla and Merimbula to coordinate daily live weather cross segments on the morning program, which carried a strong #LoveNSW message; the Hunter Valley broadcast even included a heart-shaped hot air balloon. The TODAY Show and its weather presenter Tim Davies have been sharing content from the broadcasts on social media including the hashtag #LoveNSW.
TODAY Show hosts Karl Stefanovic and Allison Langdon also showed their love for NSW, posting a photo showing their ‘hearts’ on social media, and this morning, the entire TODAY Show plus TODAY Extra was broadcast live from Batemans Bay.
Other media highlights from the first week of the campaign include:
More than 750 pieces of coverage across top tier media in the trade and consumer markets
Channel 9 news: How helping hands can help turn the tourism industry around
ABC Weekend Breakfast: The challenges facing Australia’s tourism industry and NSW campaign launches
News.com.au: Sharing the love - how your holiday snaps can help NSW tourism operators recover from drought and fire
Good Food: Guides for Good - where to eat, drink and shop along the NSW South Coast
US Travel Editor for Wine Enthusiast and US Forbes magazine freelancer famil in Hunter Valley
DIGITAL
The #LoveNSW landing page on VisitNSW.com has received more than 7,500 views since its launch last Saturday, with the average time on site almost double the same period last year. Sixty per cent of #LoveNSW webpage traffic is from NSW while across our borders, Victoria (19%) and Queensland (14%) rank second and third in engagement.
It’s a timely reminder for tourism operators to ensure they are registered on Destination NSW’s FREE Get Connected platform, which allows them to showcase their tourism products on VisitNSW.com. Information on how to register can be found here.
In total #LoveNSW has reached almost half a million people on social media and reports show an increase in social media users sharing their intention to travel to or within NSW.
Further, operators and tourism organisations across the state have been sharing their love for NSW by posting photos on social media from their business and joining the conversation via the hashtag #LoveNSW.
#RECOVERYWEEKEND
Partnership campaigns and out of home advertising prompting locals to book a #RecoveryWeekend continue to drive results for NSW.
A page of #RecoveryWeekend deals is live on VisitNSW.com, and some of Destination NSW's recovery plan partners, including Accor Hotels and Viva Holidays, have created their own page for the campaign.
A major billboard on Joyce Drive near Sydney Airport is also skinned with the #RecoveryWeekend message, encouraging people to go to VisitNSW.com for travel inspiration and bookings.
WOMEN'S T20 WELCOMED TO SYDNEY
Sydney will welcome the Australian and Indian cricket teams for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, with a function and pop-up Fan Zone on Wednesday 19 February.
Sydneysiders and visitors are encouraged to come down to the free Fan Zone on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, with a range of activities on between 3-7pm including live entertainment, street art, cricket activities, games and opportunities to win prizes.
Fans will have the chance to meet some of the players from 5pm-5:30pm – one of the last chances for fans to get up close to their sporting heroes before the two teams face off in the Opening Match at Sydney Showground Stadium.
The team welcome is just one of many activities in Sydney throughout the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, with four match days and five pop up Fan Zones across the city, culminating in a Semi Final Double Header at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Cricket fans are encouraged to get their tickets for the Opening Match between Australia and India at Sydney Showground Stadium on Friday 21 February.
Find out more about Sydney Fan Zones and Match Days: sydney.com/t20WorldCup. Buy tickets for T20 Women’s World Cup Matches: t20worldcup.com/tickets
The T20 Women’s World Cup matches in Sydney are supported by the NSW Government through Destination NSW and the Office of Sport.
#SHARETHELOVE IN THE SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS
Wingecarribee Shire Council’s Destination Southern Highlands team has launched a new tourism and economic recovery campaign to entice visitors back to the Highlands.
Council’s Group Manager of Tourism and Economic Development, Steve Rosa said the campaign would show the Shire was open for business once again.
“We’ve called the campaign Share the Love with the Southern Highlands which is an extension of our award winning My Southern Highlands branding campaign,” he said.
“We know that a lot of businesses and tourism operators took a heavy hit over the summer as a result of the bushfires that threatened our region.
“While it’s important to acknowledge we suffered losses it’s equally important to remind people that all of our beautiful towns and villages were saved.
“One of the key messages from this campaign is that it’s safe to return to our region so why not send some love our way,” Steve said. “We guarantee the love will be returned tenfold!”
The campaign will run until 30 June 2020 across multiple platforms including television, print, radio, digital and social media.
For more information on #ShareTheLove visit the campaign website.
RECOVERY INFO FOR SMALL BUSINESS
Small businesses affected by the bushfires in regional NSW are invited to attend an information session as part of the NSW Government's Bushfire Regional Roadshow. Government agencies will come together to share information on the kind of support available such as eligibility criteria for grants and disaster assistance for directly and indirectly affected businesses. The workshops will take place in the following locations: Braidwood (Monday 17 February), Mogo (Tuesday 18 February), Bermagui (Wednesday 19 February) and Tathra (Thursday 20 February). Click on each town to register for that specific workshop. For more information, contact Treasury NSW on 02 9934 0805 or smallbusiness@treasury.nsw.gov.au
FLYING KANGAROO ARRIVES IN ORANGE
Qantas will begin flights between Orange and Sydney from 1 May 2020, adding more than 45,000 seats on the route each year on a mix of Q300 and Q200 aircraft. To celebrate the launch, Qantas is offering special fares of $129 from Orange to Sydney on sale now until 17 February 2020. QantasLink CEO John Gissing said: “Orange is a thriving place with an increasingly diverse economy. There’s growing demand for a premium airline to connect business and leisure travellers. These additional flights will make it easier for Sydney residents and domestic and international tourists to discover one of NSW’s most beautiful regions, with its world-class restaurants and wineries.” More information here.
RUGBY LAUNCHES MAJOR RELIEF AID
The Australian Rugby Foundation together with Rugby Australia, Australian Sports Foundation and the Classic Wallabies have launched the Rugby Aid Appeal. Fundraising efforts will go towards rugby clubs or members who have experienced major climatic events such as drought or bushfires and need help rebuilding clubhouses or replacing equipment and kits. Rugby AU is currently undertaking research to pinpoint which rugby communities have been affected and will look to make contact with them in the coming weeks. The Classic Wallabies will also be hitting the ground in several weather-affected towns over the coming months to deliver coaching clinics and assist clubs with fundraising. Those wanting to contribute to the appeal can make a tax-deductible donation here.
SNOWIES MTB FESTIVAL UNDERWAY
The Snowies MTB Festival is back in 2020 with the iconic Snowy Mountains playing host to one of Australia’s most iconic mountain bike stage races. The three-day event kicked off today with two new course options, including the 90k Brumby (five stages) and 128k Wild Brumby (six stages). If one day of action is all you’re after, there is still time to register for this Sunday’s XC MTB events, which include the 45k marathon, 30k or 15k. All riding is located within an area of just 35km, making it easy and convenient for riders to travel to each event. There are plenty of accommodation options available, including Lake Crackenback Resort and Spa which is right in the heart of the Snowies MTB action. Click here for more.
SWIM WITH THE DOLPHINS
If you’ve ever thought about swimming with dolphins, now is your chance. Dolphin Swim Australia is celebrating its 10th anniversary by offering a 10 per cent discount for couples or friends keen to join a moving pod underwater before the season ends on 26 April. In conjunction with this special offer, Mantra Nelson Bay is also offering a 30 per cent discount on stays until 26 April who mention Dolphin Swims Australia. It’s the perfect excuse to book a #RecoveryWeekend to Port Stephens - just 2.5 hours north of Sydney - and show how much you #LoveNSW. Call 1300 721 358 or visit dolphinswimaustralia.com.au for more.
SEE WORLD'S BEST OUTDOOR OPERA
Now in its ninth year, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is preparing to present Verdi’s iconic Opera La Traviata: the story that inspired Moulin Rouge. Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour continues to offer audiences an unforgettable experience with incredible performances, dazzling costumes and awe-inspiring sets, which this year includes a 3.5 tonne chandelier sparkling with 10,000 crystals. The biggest scenes in this year’s production feature 80 performers on stage - all set against the unrivalled backdrop of Sydney Harbour. The NSW Government is proud to have supported this event since its inception in 2012 through Destination NSW. Purchase your ticket to Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour’s performance of La Traviata here.
