No Images? Click here TOURISM HEADQUARTERS ANNOUNCEDThe headquarters for two of the State’s Destination Networks have been announced this week with Destination Sydney Surrounds North to be located in the City of Gosford and Destination Sydney Surrounds South to be based out of Wollongong and Nowra. Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Scot MacDonald welcomed the Destination Sydney Surrounds North announcement and said the Destination Network will have its headquarters at the Central Coast Council Smart Hub. On the Destination Sydney Surrounds South announcement, Member for Kiama Gareth Ward said, “The two locations will allow the Destination Network team to work in close collaboration with our local tourism industry, enabling them to engage with the different local government areas, all out of Wollongong and Nowra.” In addition to the headquarters announcement, a number of staff appointments were also announced this week. Glenn Caldwell joins Destination Network Sydney Surrounds North as General Manager. At Destination Sydney Surrounds South, Greg Biskin has been appointed General Manager and Steve Lawson as Business Development Manager. NSW TO HOST EXCLUSIVE BARBARIANS RUGBY TOURLismore will host an exclusive Barbarians Rugby match when the famous international team tours NSW in October. NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said the fixture, secured by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, would be a huge boost for the region as it gets back on its feet following the March floods. “Securing this major event for Lismore will prove a huge drawcard for the region, attracting thousands of visitors to the area and tourist dollars into the pockets of local businesspeople,” Mr Marshall said. “I am also pleased to announce that all proceeds from ticket sales will go towards flood relief for the town, supporting the local community as it continues to recover from the severe weather earlier this year.” The Barbarians will take on the Classic Wallabies in Lismore on 24 October, 2017 before facing the Wallabies at Allianz Stadium on 28 October, 2017. For more information on the Barbarians Tour, click here. TOURISM FUNDING BOOST FOR SOUTH COASTThe South Coast’s crystal-clear waters, spectacular beaches and stunning national parks will be promoted to more visitors as a result of the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Fund. The ‘Unspoilt’ marketing campaign involving Shoalhaven City Council, Eurobodalla Shire Council, Kiama Municipal Council, Tourism Shellharbour, Sapphire Coast Tourism Ltd and Destination NSW will continue to promote the region through digital and television advertising thanks to a NSW Government grant of $380,000. Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock said, “Attracting overnight visitation to the South Coast is a key priority and this winning campaign demonstrates that our region works tirelessly to ensure we are continually on travellers’ must-see lists.” Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra and South Coast Gareth Ward said, “The ‘Unspoilt’ campaign has already played a pivotal role in attracting more visitors to the region while showcasing our beautiful tourism offerings and we are delighted to be building on its continued success.” The ‘Unspoilt’ campaign has been a major driver of tourism growth to the region since its inception in 2014. Click here for further details on the Regional Tourism Fund. BYRON BAY WELCOMES TOP INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL WRITERSFresh local seafood, beautiful beaches and attractions in Byron Bay will be showcased to audiences around the world, with some of the UK’s top travel and lifestyle writers visiting the region this week. NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said, “Supporting regional tourism is one of our leading priorities and this initiative is yet another great example of the NSW Government’s commitment to increasing overnight visitation to the State." “As a country-based Minister I am determined to share the best of the bush and our scenic coastline with the world, and we look forward to welcoming more visitors from one of our top international markets to Byron Bay as a result of this special visit.” The journalists will experience activities including whale watching, hot air ballooning, and a sunrise picnic breakfast at Cape Byron Lighthouse. For more information on Byron Bay, go to Visitnsw.com. TWEED HEADS RAIL TRAIL GETS GO-AHEADThe North Coast will receive $6.3 million from the NSW Government for a 24-kilometre rail trail from Murwillumbah to Crabbes Creek, which will turn the unused tracks into cycling and walking trails. The funding, which is being delivered through the NSW Government’s Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund, was announced this week by the Member for Lismore, Thomas George MP and Member for Tweed, Geoff Provest MP. “I am pleased to inform the North Coast community that we’ve set aside over $6 million for the Tweed Heads Rail Trail Project,” Mr George said. Member for Tweed Geoff Provest said the Northern Rivers Rail Trail has enormous potential to enhance local tourism. “I look forward to moving this project forward and completing further community and landholder consultation so this project can progress and deliver a fantastic new tourism asset to the North Coast of NSW,” Mr Provest said. The community consultation sessions are anticipated to commence in August. HAWKESBURY TO HOST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FOR OBSTACLE COURSE RACINGIn a global first, the world championship for 24 Hour Obstacle Course Racing will be held in the Hawkesbury next year, NSW Treasurer and Member for Hawkesbury Dominic Perrottet announced yesterday. Secured by Destination NSW, the World Championship will be the second obstacle course race for the region, following the True Grit military inspired obstacle challenge which will take place in May 2018. “True Grit and the World 24 Hour Obstacle Course Racing Championship are expected to attract more than 2000 visitors to the Hawkesbury next year, injecting more than $1.8 million into the local visitor economy,” Mr Perrottet said. Registrations for the World 24 Hour Obstacle Course Racing Championship will open on 1 August 2017. Click here for more information. NEW DEDICATED TRAIN FOR THE BROKEN HEEL FESTIVALVisitors to Outback NSW can join all the fun of the Broken Heel Festival with a new iconic train experience offering return trips from Sydney. Launched this week by NSW TrainLink, the Silver City Stiletto is the festival’s new dedicated train service, departing Sydney's Central Station on 7 September. Enroute to the Outback, guests will watch the miles slip by with onboard entertainment provided by Maude Boate – Australia’s Grand Dame Queen of drag. Passengers can also expect a fanfare departure in Sydney, plus arriving to a special platform spectacle in Broken Hill. Tickets are $499 including a three-day festival pass, amazing entertainment, loads of giveaways and much more. With only 150 seats on offer, get in quick to secure your place. The Silver City Stiletto will return to Sydney on Tuesday, 12 September. NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER FOR SHANGHAIDestination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase this week announced the appointment of Ms Celine Dong, as the new Business Development Manager for Shanghai. “Ms Dong will be responsible for building our relationships with key travel trade partners, wholesalers, retailers, airlines and online agents to increase the awareness and sales of NSW tourism destinations and products in Eastern China,” Ms Chipchase said. “We are committed to growing our presence in China, which is our number one inbound visitor market and these significant figures are a reflection of the work that Destination NSW is doing to ensure we continue to attract more visitors from this lucrative market.” In the year ended March 2017, NSW welcomed more than 700,000 visitors from China who spent close to $3 billion in the State. Celine Dong commenced with Destination NSW on 17 July 2017. SYDNEY AIRPORT WELCOMES NEW MANTRA HOTELThe new Mantra Hotel at Sydney Airport was officially opened this week by the NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events, Adam Marshall. The new development features 136 modern studio rooms and caters to business travellers looking for conveniently located accommodation close to the airport and terminals. Minister Marshall congratulated the Mantra Group on the hotel opening. “With record numbers flying into Sydney, new hotel openings such as the Mantra Hotel provide visitors to NSW with greater choices in accommodation location, style and price point. New hotels in key precincts play a critical role in promoting a vibrant visitor economy while meeting the needs of growing visitor numbers to Sydney, attracting first-time and returning domestic and international travellers." Visit MantraHotels.com for bookings and further information. TAA AWARDS CELEBRATE EXCELLENCEThe State’s top achievers in the hotel accommodation industry were recognised last night at the Tourism Accommodation Australian NSW Awards. More than 300 nominations from 80 top accommodation venues in NSW competed through a rigorous evaluation process to take home an Award for Excellence across 34 categories. The Awards acknowledge the best products and services in the NSW accommodation sector and are sponsored by Destination NSW. Click here to see the winners. POWERHOUSE MUSEUM PUBLIC CONSULTATIONCommunity consultation sessions have commenced on future plans for the Powerhouse Museum. Public meetings will take place on 26 July in Parramatta, and on 31 July in Ultimo. The NSW Department of Planning and Environment is managing the development of the business case, which has been expanded to consider retaining an arts and cultural space at Ultimo at the current Powerhouse Museum site. Click here to learn more about the project and join the conversation. SHORT-TERM HOLIDAY LETTING OPTIONS PAPERThe NSW Government is calling on community and stakeholder feedback after the release of an Options Paper on short-term holiday letting today. The Options Paper is the next step in determining the most effective way for the NSW Government to respond to the growth of this industry, which includes Airbnb and Stayz. The paper is now available for public feedback for a three-month consultation period until 31 October 2017, after which the NSW Government will consider submissions. Click here for more information and to make a submission. |