Insights - 13 September 2024
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NEW INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE SECURED FOR NSW
Turkish Airlines will begin four direct flights a week between Istanbul and Sydney from 5 December 2024, thanks to support from Destination NSW's Aviation Attraction Fund.
The new route will deliver an additional 68,620 inbound seats to Sydney Airport in its first year. This is expected to support more than 290 jobs and generate an estimated $53 million for the NSW visitor economy.
Turkish Airlines has one of the world’s most extensive aviation networks, flying to more than 340 destinations in 130 countries.
SYDNEY MARATHON AIMS FOR WORLD MAJOR STATUS
Up to 150,000 spectators are expected to line the streets of Sydney on Sunday, 15 September 2024 for the TCS Sydney Marathon.
Five live spectator sites will feature along the course map at The Rocks, Surry Hills, Randwick, Centennial Park and UNSW Sydney. They will offer food trucks, entertainment and large screens broadcasting the event. Learn more here.
Supported proudly by Destination NSW, the Sydney Marathon will welcome 25,000 entrants this year, making it the largest marathon in Australian history.
Assessors from around the world are in Sydney for this weekend's event to evaluate the delivery of the marathon and its overall participant experience before deciding whether to bestow the TCS Sydney Marathon with Abbott World Marathon Major status in 2025.
Sydney’s bid to become the world’s seventh Abbott World Marathon Major host city will provide a significant boost to the NSW visitor economy.
Achieving World Major status will send interest in the event to another level as runners from around the globe seek to add another star to what is currently known as the “six stars” - those who have completed all six major marathons, which include Tokyo Marathon, B.A.A Boston Marathon, TCS London Marathon, BMW BERLIN-MARATHON, Bank of America Chicago Marathon and TCS New York City Marathon.
HUSKISSON TRIUMPHS AT AUSTRALIA'S
TOP TOURISM TOWN AWARDS
Huskisson has been named the country’s Top Tiny Tourism Town at Australia's Top Tourism Town Awards 2024.
The win follows Huskisson being crowned NSW’s Top Tiny Tourism Town earlier this year.
The Tiny Tourism Town award recognises towns with a population under 1500 people that offer world-class experiences and are committed to increasing visitation to their region.
Shoalhaven City Council Tourism & Economic Development Manager Kristy Mayhew said: “For Huskisson to win this award is a huge achievement and highlights the warmth of the community when it welcomes visitors from across the country."
Learn more here.
ACCOLADES FLOW FOR SOUTH COAST
VISITOR ECONOMY BUSINESSES
Tathra Beach Eco Camp has won 2024 Business of the Year at the 2024 Business NSW Far South Coast Business Awards.
The camping, glamping and accommodation park also took out the Excellence in Sustainability Award.
The 2024 Narooma Oyster Festival, which was supported proudly by Destination NSW, won the Visitor Experience Award.
TRC Tourism won the Excellence in International Business award.
All award winners will represent the Far South Coast at the 2024 NSW Business Awards on 30 October at the International Convention Centre Sydney.
ONE MONTH TO SXSW SYDNEY 2024
The countdown is on to SXSW Sydney 2024, with just one month to go until the festival spotlights Sydney as the creative industries capital of the Asia Pacific. The second edition of SXSW Sydney is taking place from 14-20 October and will feature more than 1000 events across Music, Screen, Gaming, Ideas, Tech and Innovation. Destination NSW is a proud partner of SXSW Sydney 2024, which is projected to bring thousands of visitors to the Harbour City.
CHINA TOPS OVERSEAS ARRIVALS TO NSW
Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows China was the leading source market for visitors to NSW in July 2024, with 41,090 trips, followed by New Zealand (32,250) and the United States (20,710). NSW welcomed 234,450 short-term visitor arrivals in July 2024, an increase of 910 compared with July 2023. Australia welcomed 658,970 short-term visitor arrivals, an increase of 5.4 per cent on one year earlier. The leading source country was New Zealand (121,320 trips).
REGISTER TO ATTEND 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 operators, trade partners, industry representatives and government colleagues.
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. The final in-person workshop will be held in the Blue Mountains on 17 September 2024. A virtual workshop will be held on 19 September.
DATES ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 NEON FORUM
Leading night-life experts from across the globe will gather in Sydney from 30-31 October to discuss the future of night-time economies as the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner hosts the 2024 NEON Forum.
HUNTER TO HOST TRAVEL WRITER AWARDS
The Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) will hold its 2024 ASTW Awards for Excellence in the Hunter Valley on 31 October 2024. Destination NSW is the Strategic Sponsor of the awards, which honour Australia’s travel media.
EGYPT EXHIBITION BOOSTS NSW ECONOMY
The Australian Museum's recent Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition was among the most successful museum exhibitions in NSW history according to a new report. The report states that the exhibition attracted more than 508,000 visitors and contributed more than $57 million to the NSW economy.
RECREATION SPENDING RISES
The CommBank Household Spending Insights Index shows spending on recreation rose 0.7 per cent in August 2024. The increase was driven by online travel bookings and airlines. This was partly offset by reduced spending on ticketing services, accommodation, cruise lines and travel agencies.
KING CHARLES TO VISIT WESTERN SYDNEY
Buckingham Palace has released details of their Majesties The King and Queen's autumn tour, which is taking place from 18-26 October 2024 and will include an engagement in Western Sydney. Their Majesties will attend a community BBQ, where they will have the opportunity to sample NSW produce and experience the cultural diversity of local communities.
2024 SYDNEY AWARDS WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Winners of Committee for Sydney's 2024 Sydney Awards have been announced. They include FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, which took out Project of the Year Award. The judges noted that the tournament, which was supported proudly by Destination NSW, injected $1.3 billion into the state's economy.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
ATEC EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2024 NOMINATIONS OPEN: This year's awards will include three peer-nominated and peer-voted categories. Learn more
AUSTRALIA NEXT HIGHLIGHTS BUSINESS EVENTS OPPORTUNITIES: Business Events Australia’s major incentive showcase was held from 8-11 September 2024. Learn more
CRUISE SHIPS TO STAY OUT OF JERVIS BAY: The NSW Government has ruled out any expansion of cruise ship tourism in Jervis Bay Marine Park following concerns about potential impacts on water quality, habitats, aquaculture and social values. Learn more
DESIGN OF ST MARYS TRANSPORT HUB REVEALED: The NSW Government is set to transform the 162-year-old railway station into a train, metro and bus hub for Western Sydney. Learn more
$5 MILLION AVAILABLE FOR NSW SURF CLUBS: NSW Surf Life Saving Clubs are set to receive a boost with the NSW Government opening the latest round of its Surf Club Facility Program. Learn more
THE KID LAROI TO HEADLINE 2024 NRL GRAND FINAL: The musician is a proud Kamilaroi man and South Sydney Rabbitohs fan. The NRL Grand Final is supported proudly by Destination NSW. Learn more
MEETINGS & EVENTS AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCES 2025 CONFERENCE DESTINATION: The conference, which coincides with the association's 50th anniversary, will be held in Sydney. Learn more
UBER TECH TRIAL FOR INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS: Passengers arriving at Sydney Airport’s T1 International terminal will have faster and smoother journeys when Uber PIN technology launches on 24 September 2024. Learn more
NEW $200,000 FILM FESTIVAL FUND ANNOUNCED: The NSW Government's Community Film Festival Opening Night Fund will offer grants of up to $5000 for community film festivals to host opening night celebrations. Learn more
HOW TRAVEL DEFENDS AGAINST AGEING: Researchers from Edith Cowan University believe travel could be the best way to defy premature ageing. Learn more
30 YEARS SINCE HISTORIC DISCOVERY OF ANCIENT DINOSAUR TREES: A Mount Tomah planting is the latest chapter in the Wollemi Pine’s survival story. 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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