No Images? Click here 'WAKE UP WITH' NEW CAMPAIGN FOR WESTERN SYDNEY REGIONSThe visitor economy in Western Sydney is set to grow even further following a new campaign encouraging tourists to ‘stay a little longer’ in the regions of Penrith, the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury. Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said the NSW Government had partnered with the Regional Strategic Alliance, comprising of representatives across the three regions, to fund the campaign which bears the tagline Wake Up With. “The Campaign is aimed at reminding visitors of the range of quality experiences that are worth staying overnight for,” Mr Marshall said. “Around 75 per cent of visitors to these regions are day trippers. We want to make sure those visitors extend their stay to an overnight trip, so that the local visitor economy thrives. “The concept of the Campaign unifies the three regions through four hero themes including nature, adventure, food and culture.” The Regional Tourism Fund provides investment into the regional visitor economy on a matched dollar-for-dollar basis. FUNDING BOOST FOR PARKES ELVIS FESTIVALNSW has once again demonstrated it is the regional events leader in Australia with the NSW Government announcing it will continue its support for one of the country’s most iconic events, the Parkes Elvis Festival, for a further three years. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro was in Parkes this week for the announcement and said since 2015, the event has ignited the local economy attracting almost 40,000 overnight visitors to Parkes and pumping more than $28 million into local hotels, shops and tourism attractions. “Having received funding through our Regional Flagship Events Program for four years until 2008 and through the Major Events Program since 2015, the Parkes Elvis Festival is one of our great event success stories,” Mr Barilaro said. “The Parkes Elvis Festival has become a must-see, must-do event for tourists from around Australia and the world and the NSW Government is proud to be committing a further three years of funding to this outstanding event.” More information on the Parkes Elvis Festival can be found at www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au. SYDNEY AND DUBBO TO WELCOME THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSESTheir Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will visit NSW next month on an official tour, which will include hosting the Invictus Games in Sydney and visiting regional NSW. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she is looking forward to welcoming Their Royal Highnesses to Sydney. The Invictus Games will bring more than 500 service personnel from 18 nations to compete over eight days in 11 sports such as swimming, wheelchair rugby and sailing in Sydney. “I am also pleased to announce that the tour includes a visit to Dubbo, where the Duke and Duchess will experience firsthand the community spirit of regional NSW.” Further details of the visit will be announced in due course. STAR WARS IDENTITIES TICKETS NOW AVAILABLETickets are now available for the Australian premiere exhibition of STAR WARS Identities, opening at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney this November. The unique experience leads guests on an identity quest utilising neuropsychology, psychology and biochemistry and over 200 original artefacts, costumes and props from the Lucasfilm archives. Visitors answer interactive questions to create their own Star Wars-inspired character. Museum of Arts and Applied Sciences (MAAS) Director of Curatorial, Collections and Exhibitions, Peter Denham said the exhibition is an opportunity to delve beyond the films and memorabilia. “STAR WARS Identities will offer families an opportunity to share their love of the film series with a new generation of fans through a fun, interactive exhibition experience. MAAS is looking forward to welcoming audiences to an exhibition that celebrates one of our core focuses - the intersection of imagination and technology - through the iconic popular culture phenomenon of Star Wars,” Mr Denham said. STAR WARS Identities: The Exhibition has been secured exclusively for Sydney by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, in partnership with the MAAS. The exhibition runs from 16 November 2018 to 10 June 2019 and tickets are available at www.ticketek.com.au. FUNDING OPEN FOR RURAL AND REGIONAL EVENTSEvent organisers across rural and regional NSW holding events between January and June 2019 are encouraged to apply for the NSW Government’s Flagship Event Fund. Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said the 2019 Fund will, for the first time, be offered in two rounds per year and be simplified with a single-step application process. “We are reducing the red tape to give event organisers easy access to a more streamlined application process, making it quicker for events in rural and regional areas to access vital funds and boost tourism in their local communities,” Mr Marshall said. “Events can apply for an annual grant of $20,000 or a triennial grant of $27,500 to help market and promote their event to visitors outside of their local area.” “Whether it’s event proponents, tour operators, hoteliers or visitor attractions, we’re working hard across our regions to make it easier to access vital grants to get initiatives off the ground and to get tourism booming more than ever before.” “I encourage those eligible for Round One of the Flagship Event Fund to apply soon for this terrific opportunity.” Applications for Round One close 8 October, click here. RIVERINA SET TO WELCOME MORE VISITORS THROUGH NEW CAMPAIGNAll eyes will be drawn to the Riverina with the NSW Government launching its first It’s ON! in NSW campaign for the region, showcasing some of the best events and local festivals. NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said the campaign will be rolled out across 10 weeks, luring people to the region through social media, digital, video and print advertising. “Our It’s ON! In NSW platform drives overnight visitation across regional NSW through event-led marketing, and we’re delighted to be launching the first dedicated event campaign for the Riverina region,” Mr Marshall said. “We will be targeting travellers from Sydney, the ACT and regional NSW to encourage people to book a trip to the Riverina, to experience the fantastic line-up of Spring events first-hand. "This co-operative campaign between the State’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, and Destination Riverina Murray is further proof that we are committed to turbocharging regional tourism.” To view the digital videos, click here. EXPLORE REGIONAL NSW WITH REFLECTIONS HOLIDAY PARKSWith the warmer weather on its way, Reflections Holiday Parks is urging people to take advantage of the many opportunities to get out and about and experience the best that regional NSW has to offer. Reflections Holiday Parks have 37 locations in NSW making them an ideal base to explore regional NSW and all the events and festivals happening during Spring. To discover what NSW regional events are coming up and to book at Reflections, click here. CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR AT TARONGA ZOOTickets are on sale now for New Year's Eve 2018 at Taronga Zoo. The family friendly environment allows you to relax and enjoy the festivities and fireworks in the famous Taronga Zoo grounds. You can bring your own picnic as well as purchase food and drinks on-site. American Express Card Members are eligible for a 10% discount, using the code AMEX. All proceeds from ticket sales support Taronga's Conservation Programs. For information and to purchase tickets, click here. COUNTDOWN ON FOR |