TOURISM BOOST FOR WESTERN SYDNEYThe NSW Government this week announced plans to drive visitor growth to Western Sydney with the release of a Western Sydney Visitor Economy Strategy. NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said the Strategy includes nine Strategic Directions supported by a memorandum of understanding with the Western Sydney Business Chamber and Western Sydney Business Connection. “Western Sydney is one of Australia’s largest, fastest-growing and most diverse economies and I am delighted to announce that we have engaged with some of the region’s key partners
to help place Western Sydney at the forefront of more visitors’ minds,” Mr Marshall said. To find out more and read the Strategy, go to Destination NSW. Image: At the launch of the Western Sydney Visitor Economy Strategy. From L-R: Amanda Brisot, General Manager, Western Sydney Business Connection; David Borger, Western Sydney Director, NSW Business Chamber; Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall; and Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee
AWARD FOR VIVID SYDNEY CREATIVE DIRECTORIgnatius Jones, the creative force behind Australia’s largest event, Vivid Sydney, will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 Australian Event Awards. Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer and Vivid Sydney Executive Producer Sandra Chipchase said she is delighted that Ignatius Jones has been acknowledged by his peers for a lifetime of achievements. “Having worked with Ignatius for many years, I believe he is one of the great creative minds of this century, and I’m delighted to have someone with his immense talents as part of
the team working on Vivid Sydney,” Ms Chipchase said. “Vivid Sydney returns for the 10th year in 2018, and with the creative brilliance of Ignatius as Creative Director, it’s set to be another spectacular festival that will once again delight, entertain and inspire visitors from across the world.” On learning of the announcement, Ignatius Jones said, “After 42 years in the business, this is indeed an honour. I’d like to thank everybody who made this possible and who continue to make my life fabulous by working with me on Vivid Sydney.” The Australian Event Awards is a unique platform for recognising the diversity and quality of Australian events, and for the event organisers to be acknowledged
across the national events industry. Ignatius Jones will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Australian Event Awards on 13 September.
NSW SECURES PARTNERSHIP WITH
CHINA’S CAPITAL AIRLINESNSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall has announced a new partnership with Capital Airlines following a meeting with company executives in Beijing this week. Destination NSW will work with Capital Airlines and travel trade partners to develop and promote itineraries to NSW, with the carrier to commence three weekly services to Sydney from Qingdao on 29 October. Opportunities discussed included broader travel packaging into rural and regional NSW, the Vivid Sydney Festival and an inaugural partnership campaign with the travel trade in Qingdao. “It was a pleasure to meet with the Capital Airlines representatives and to have secured the
expanded partnership on behalf of the Government further boosting our State's tourism industry and economy,” Mr Marshall said. As part of the NSW Government’s mission to China, the Minister has also been meeting with key travel industry partners to explore ways to expand the extensive trade partnerships Destination NSW has in place. Mr Marshall also met with one of the world’s largest carriers servicing Sydney, China Southern Airlines, to discuss current partnerships and strategies to grow visitation from first-tier cities including Guangzhou and Shenzhen. “Sydney is the first choice for Chinese tourists traveling to Australia, the next step is pitching our country charms to drive even more visitation into rural and
regional NSW,” Mr Marshall said. To find out more, go to Destination NSW.
INTERNATIONAL SUPERMOTO IN NEWCASTLEThe FIM Oceania Supermoto Championship, one of NSW’s premier motorcycle events, will open tomorrow as part of the Newcastle International Supermoto. Destination NSW is proud to have secured the FIM Oceania Supermoto Championship from 2016 until 2018. This exciting event will showcase Newcastle’s fantastic facilities and lifestyle to a global audience, and is anticipated to attract over 3,330 overnight visitors who will contribute $1.9 million to the
NSW visitor economy over three years. Find out more about the Newcastle International Supermoto.
SNOWTUNES RETURNS THIS WEEKENDSnowtunes, which is on in Jindabyne this weekend, promises skiers and snowboarders mountain action by day, and partying by night. The festival has been secured by Destination NSW to help encourage stronger visitation outside of the traditional peak snow season. With some of the hottest Australian and international music acts, including Safia and Tkay Maidza, Snowtunes offers visitors all-inclusive packages with lift passes and festival tickets for the ultimate weekend away. Snowtunes tickets are still available.
FOODIE FESTIVAL IN BANGALOWThe popular Sample Food Festival is taking place this Saturday, with more than
17,000 food lovers expected to converge on the picturesque town of Bangalow. Supported by Destination NSW through the Regional Flagship Events Program, the Festival celebrates the great food and wine of Northern NSW, and unites farmers, chefs, producers and wine makers with the people who love what they create. The Sample Food Festival kicks off tomorrow, 2 September, and also includes a series of dinners and special events running over four days and three nights. Visit the Festival website to find out more.
COFFS HARBOUR RUNNING FESTIVAL COUNTDOWNThousands of runners will converge on Coffs Harbour this Sunday for the Bendigo Bank Running Festival. This community event for all ages and abilities consists of a 21.1 kilometre half marathon, and a 10, five and three kilometre family fun run. Held on a bush trail on the Coffs Creek Walkway, the flat, shady course is ideal for runners. The picturesque track hugs the beautiful Coffs Creek and competitors run over floating boardwalks, through swamp forests of mangrove, casuarina and paperbark trees, from the centre of town to the coast and back. Visit the Festival website to find out more.
SCHOOL’S OUT FOR SPRING The Spring school holidays will be here before you know it and as the weather starts to warm up, it’s a beautiful time to see more of the State. From camping trips to water parks, surfing lessons and food festivals, there is so much to do in NSW. Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said, “Spring is a perfect time to take a short break, explore new destinations and discover new experiences that the whole family will enjoy.” The Spring school holidays will take place in the last week of September and the first week of October. Find out what’s possible across NSW. Image credit: Lets Go Surfing
TYALGUM MUSIC FESTIVAL NEXT WEEKENDThe North Coast hinterland village of Tyalgum will celebrate its love of music, art and community with a series of musical performances next weekend. The three-day festival will feature a mix of ticketed concerts plus free, fun outdoor community music events. Performers will include the Australian Brass Quintet, the popular piano trio, Lyrebird, cellist Louise King and tenor Andrew Goodwin. New events this year include Late Night Music and Wood-fired Pizza, Bright Sparks, which features young local artists, and Gongs in the
Caldera, a performance of singing bowls and gongs. The music will be complemented by art exhibitions, outdoor sound installations and a Saturday village market. Visit the Festival website to find out more.
COASTAL CLASSIC RETURNS One of the world’s most scenic races, the
29 kilometre Coastal Classic trail-run, takes in the spectacular coastline of the Royal National Park, south of Sydney. On Saturday, runners will take on rocky terrain, steep inclines, beaches, bushland and clifftops as they race to finish.
SCULPTURE DOWN SOUTHThe banks of the iconic Clyde River in Batemans Bay on the State’s South Coast will be transformed this weekend by Sculpture on the Clyde, an event supporting local sculptors and their work. With a backdrop of the Clyde estuary, the ocean and the distant mountains, the event promises to offer a new artistic perspective.
SURF'S UP AT CRESCENT HEAD Surfers over 30 will hit the waves on Saturday at the Old Malibu Longboard Classic at Crescent Head on the North Coast. The popular surfing event provides a great economic boost for Crescent Head, which is known for waves that are perfect for longboards and a world-class, right-hander surf break.
|