UPCOMING NSW FIRST INDUSTRY WEBINAR AND NEW GUIDE TO VIDEO

Destination NSW will host a free Digital Marketing Tips - Love NSW webinar on 4 June to help businesses increase their online customer engagement.

The webinar, presented by Destination NSW’s General Manager Marketing Jan Hutton, will provide valuable tips and insights on how a tourism business can boost its digital marketing and social media presence.

Participants will also find out how to get involved in the Now’s The Time To Love NSW statewide marketing campaign as it moves into the next phase as regional travel resumes in NSW from Monday.

This webinar will include a Q&A session and delve into the following key areas:  

• Discover practical ways to promote a tourism business online and what makes great content
• Get tips for creating and using inspiring images and video online, and tapping into social media channels
• Find out how to add, review or update a free tourism product listing on visitnsw.com
• Learn how to get involved in the Love NSW statewide marketing campaign

The event is presented by Destination NSW as part of the NSW First Program, designed to assist tourism businesses to develop, promote and sell tourism products and experiences. Register for the webinar now.

NSW First has also released a new Quick Tips downloadable resource for businesses - how to shoot video. The guide was developed by Destination NSW video content producer Luke McDonagh to provide operators with handy tips to self-shoot video to achieve maximum results.  The resource outlines simple tricks and tips that will significantly increase the production quality of videos through the use of tools, framing, lighting, audio and the context of shooting for social media.

$50 MILLION PACKAGE FOR NSW ARTS AND CULTURE

The NSW Government will provide a $50 million Rescue and Restart package for NSW arts and cultural organisations to support the sector as it navigates the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This Rescue and Restart package will ensure the survival of some of the most significant arts and cultural organisations across NSW,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

“The NSW arts and cultural sector is an important contributor to the NSW economy as well as for our community’s well-being. We know that the arts is a place of refuge and a source of inspiration in these challenging times.”

The Rescue and Restart package will be delivered in two stages:

• Funding available now to enable NSW not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations to hibernate temporarily
• Funding available in the coming months to enable NSW not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations to restart operations after the COVID-19 pandemic

Funding will be available to NSW not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations assessed as being in financial distress across the State on a case by case basis.

Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the arts sector supports 118,000 jobs across NSW and contributes $16.4 billion directly and indirectly to the NSW Gross State Product.

“This funding is critical to keep more businesses in business and people in jobs as the as the NSW economy begins its recovery,” Mr Perrottet said.

For more information, visit the Create NSW website.

THE 22ND BIENNALE OF SYDNEY REOPENS WITH EXTENDED DATES

The Biennale of Sydney has announced that NIRIN, its 22nd edition, will reopen from 16 June for an extended exhibition period following confirmation that museums and galleries will be permitted to reopen in June. 

Under the artistic direction of acclaimed Indigenous Australian artist, Brook Andrew, this year’s Biennale, which is artist- and First Nations-led, showcases more than 700 artworks by 101 artists and collectives from around the world. The exhibition closed to the public after only 10 days to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Barbara Moore, Chief Executive Officer, Biennale of Sydney said: "Now, more than ever, we need art to connect, collaborate and heal – all core themes of NIRIN. Reopening the 22nd Biennale of Sydney with extended exhibition dates gives people an opportunity to enjoy some of the best contemporary art from around the world, and there is no better way to do that than through a physical experience."

During this unprecedented time, the Biennale of Sydney found new ways to support artists and audiences, reaching more than 600,000 people through digital programming. Over 45% of the Biennale’s digital audience is international, and over 25% are under 35. 

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, The Hon Stuart Ayres MP said: "The organisers have shown incredible ingenuity during these challenging times by reimagining the exhibition for a digital audience, but with the easing of restrictions from 1 June, this is an exciting opportunity for people to enjoy this year’s Biennale of Sydney up close and in person. It’s also the perfect reason for any art-enthusiasts from around NSW to book a long weekend in Sydney to marvel at the many artworks and installations on show – all while helping our tourism industry get back on its feet."

See more information on the 22nd Biennale of Sydney including exhibiting artists, online. 

NSW SKI SEASON TO START 22 JUNE

Holidaymakers can start planning trips to the state’s ski fields with the NSW Government announcing the alpine region will be open from 22 June.

Deputy Premier and Member for Monaro John Barilaro said work is underway to ensure appropriate COVIDsafe measures are in place at Thredbo, Charlotte Pass and Perisher.

“One of the highlights of the winter tourism season is a trip to our alpine regions. However, while many people are eager to return to the slopes, it is important that visitors can enjoy themselves safely and responsibly,” Mr Barilaro said.

“The NSW Government, through NSW Health and NSW Police, is working closely with ski field operators, associated businesses, suppliers and industry associations to ensure COVIDsafe measures are in place when the season commences.

“These measures will mean that fewer people will be able to visit and stay at resorts this season, so it is essential that people book and confirm their travel arrangements and accommodation before they travel.”

Some of the measures in place include maintaining physical distancing at resorts, limits to the number of people on ski areas, controlled access to ski lifts, increased cleaning of all facilities and no snowplay.

To give ski resorts enough time to implement health and safety measures they will not open before Monday 22 June, which means skiers and holidaymakers will not be able to visit ski resorts for the 6-8 June long weekend.

The Mt Selwyn resort will remain closed during the season due to bushfire damage.

A number of COVIDsafe measures will be in place on the ski fields as well as accommodation, dining and other recreational facilities, with details to be listed on ski resort websites soon.