Insights - 6 September 2024
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NEW DEAL BOOSTS NEWCASTLE AIRPORT AS INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY
Destination NSW has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Newcastle Airport to help secure new domestic and international routes.
The MOU supports Newcastle Airport to become a global gateway when its upgraded international terminal opens in 2025.
The $250 million upgrade is projected to increase annual visitor numbers by 850,000 each year and inject $6.2 billion into the NSW visitor economy.
Destination NSW also held Inbound Strategy Workshops this week in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley to prepare businesses to sell experiences via travel distribution channels to international visitors arriving in NSW via Newcastle Airport. An online workshop will be held on 19 September 2024. Register here.
NSW SHINES AT WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS
Sydney has been crowned Oceania’s Leading City Destination at the 2024 World Travel Awards, which saw NSW triumph across 11 categories.
Sydney also took out Oceania's Leading Meetings & Conference Destination, while Sydney Airport won Oceania’s Leading Airport.
Regional NSW accolades included Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort winning Australia's Leading Resort and Gaia Retreat & Spa winning Australia's Leading Retreat.
CRUISE INDUSTRY PREPARES FOR BUMPER SEASON
Ahead of the 2024-25 summer season, Destination NSW joined cruise leaders this week at the 26th Australian Cruise Association Conference and last week attended the Cruise360 Australasia conference.
During Cruise360, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia Managing Director Joel Katz said: “Australia will host a total of 62 cruise ships over the 2024-25 summer season, which is among the busiest schedules we’ve seen in local waters.
“The number of ships is slightly down on the 70 hosted last year, but many are staying longer and making more calls. The total number of visits will be up three per cent to 1904 port calls, which creates enormous tourism opportunities for local communities.”
Learn more here.
DESTINATION NSW HOSTS CRUISE FAMIL
Destination NSW hosted a pre-ACA Conference famil in Sydney from 29-31 August 2024.
The famil was an opportunity to showcase visitor experiences including Dreamtime Southern X's The Rocks Aboriginal Dreaming Tour, a guided tour of the Sydney Opera House, an indigenous food tour of Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney, a Bridgeclimb Sydney experience, a visit to Sydney Tower and a Marrickville food and distillery tour.
REGISTER TO ATTEND NSW VISITOR ECONOMY FORUM
The NSW Visitor Economy Forum 2024 will be held on 3 October at the ICC Sydney. Attendees will hear from industry experts on growth opportunities for the visitor economy. The event is free to attend and open to stakeholders including operators, trade partners, industry representatives and government colleagues. Learn more here.
NEW STREET EVENTS FUNDING ANNOUNCED
The NSW Government's 'Permit/Plug/Play' pilot grants are supporting 16 local councils across Sydney and NSW to develop ways to make it cheaper, faster and easier to host free-entry community events. The grants provide up to $500,000 to help lower the cost of putting on street events, including traffic management plans.
ABORIGINAL BUSINESSES SHINE IN NEW REPORT
The Australian Government has released a report demonstrating the success of Aboriginal trade and tourism businesses on the global stage. The First Nations Businesses Succeeding Internationally Report shows Aboriginal visitor economy businesses employed almost 7000 workers and generated nearly $1 billion in revenue in 2022-23.
INBOUND STRATEGY WORKSHOPS
Destination NSW is hosting a series of Inbound Strategy Workshops to help businesses develop and sell export-ready products to international visitors. Workshops will be held in Sydney CBD (10 September), Parramatta (12 September) and Blue Mountains (17 September). A virtual workshop will also be held on 19 September 2024.
SYDNEY AIRPORT BOOSTS FLIGHT SAFETY
In an Australian first, Sydney Airport has installed new weather detection technology to mitigate the risks associated with windshear during aircraft operations. The technology is designed to alert pilots and airport personnel of hazardous low-level wind conditions that could affect aircraft during take-off and landing. The system updates every 10 seconds, with alerts transmitted to the Air Traffic Control Tower.
PENRITH TO HOST WORLD CANOE CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Australian and NSW Governments have announced $3.2 million in funding to Paddle Australia to support the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships at Penrith Whitewater Stadium from 1-6 October 2025. Approximately 300 competitors from 50 nations will compete across 10 events, supported by 100 coaches, officials and staff, with an estimated 20,000 spectators expected to attend.
MASTER PLAN APPROVED FOR BRADFIELD CITY
A new city will rise in Western Sydney following Bradfield City Centre’s Master Plan receiving NSW Government approval. It will build on momentum already underway across the Aerotropolis, with Western Sydney International Airport opening in late 2026. Planning for the city centre will have a focus on culture, creativity and innovation across the precinct.
SYDNEY FRINGE FESTIVAL LAUNCHES
The 2024 Sydney Fringe Festival has launched this week with a dynamic program featuring more than 400 events and 12 festival hubs that will take over the city until 30 September. Destination NSW is proud to support NSW’s largest independent arts festival in 2024, which features cultural experiences spanning theatre, music, comedy, dance, visual art, circus and cabaret.
TOP NAMES JOIN SYDNEY FISH MARKET
The new Sydney Fish Market at Blackwattle Bay will soon be home to top names in the hospitality world as the space fills with speciality food retailers and restaurants. The NSW Government is delivering the waterfront venue, which has attracted Malaysian favourite Ho Jiak, plus Luke Nguyen, who will open a flagship Southeast Asian restaurant with Doltone Hospitality Group.
SOUTH COAST MOUNTAIN BIKE NETWORK EXPANDS
The first 70km of the Mogo Trails project has officially opened. Eurobodalla Shire Council was awarded $5 million for the project, through the Australian and NSW Government’s Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund. Combined with trails at Narooma, Tathra and Eden the whole-of-region mountain bike attraction is expected to draw 65,000 new visitors to the South Coast each year.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
$9.5 MILLION IN GRANTS FOR NORTHERN RIVERS BUSINESSES: The NSW Government has opened applications for its Towns and Villages Resilient Business Activation Program. Learn more
SYDNEY CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR RETURNS TO CARRIAGEWORKS: From 5–8 September 2024 more than 80 emerging and established galleries will display the works of more than 400 artists, supported proudly by Destination NSW. Learn more
ACCOR CELEBRATES SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CERTIFICATION FOR 100 HOTELS: Novotel Sydney City Centre is the latest Accor property to achieve Ecotourism Australia Sustainable Tourism Certification. Learn more
BUSINESS EVENTS AUSTRALIA RELEASES AUSTRALIA NEXT MAGAZINE: The latest edition features an interview with an international planner on their visit to Sydney and a guide to new venues and accommodation in Port Stephens. Learn more
INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER TRAFFIC: New data shows international passenger traffic to Australia in June 2024 was 3.279 million, up from 2.894 million in June 2023. Learn more
ORANGE WINS JAMES HALLIDAY AUSTRALIAN CHARDONNAY CHALLENGE: Briar Ridge Vineyard Block 7 Chardonnay 2023 took out the top trophy. Learn more
PORT MACQUARIE ASTRONOMY AND SCIENCE CENTRE ALMOST COMPLETE: Funding through the Australian and NSW Government Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund has assisted with upgrades to the Port Macquarie Observatory. Learn more
FOLLOW DESTINATION NSW ON LINKEDIN: Stay up to date with all the latest Destination NSW initiatives by following us on LinkedIn. Click here
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