No images? Click here
$1 MILLION FUND FOR REGIONAL EVENTS NOW OPEN
Regional communities – in particular those affected by bushfires and drought – can now apply for $1 million worth of grants to deliver events that attract visitors and provide an economic boost to local businesses.
The NSW Government, through Destination NSW, today opened the Regional Event Fund as part of the NSW Government’s $10 million Tourism Recovery package through two streams: the Flagship Event Fund and a new Micro Event Fund.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said regional event organisers, associations, Local Government authorities and community groups would benefit from the targeted events program throughout 2020.
“Events are really important for regional communities because they give people from outside the town or area extra motivation to visit, stay ‘locally’ and spend ‘locally’,” Minister Ayres said.
“On top of this, events stimulate regional economies through engaging local businesses such as food and beverage and infrastructure suppliers, tradespeople and staff, who all contribute to the delivery of a successful event.
“The Destination NSW regional event funding programs will give organisers a chance to put forward sporting, arts, cultural and lifestyle events that bring an economic and social boost to their town.”
The two funding streams now open will offer:
- Flagship Event Fund – grants of $20,000 to support event marketing activities to attract visitors from outside their immediate regions and drive tourism.
- Micro Event Fund – one-off grants of $10,000 to community-based events in bushfire or drought-affected areas with total operating budgets of $75,000 or less that have the capacity to bring together local communities, attract visitation and stimulate local economies.
To be eligible events must be delivered between 1 May and 31 December 2020.
Applications are now open and close on Wednesday 25 March. For more information and to register: Destination NSW Regional Event Fund
Photo: MudgeeQue
LET'S #LOVENSW
Destination NSW’s tourism recovery campaign, Now’s The Time To Love NSW, has generated thousands of heartfelt photos and reached more than 2.15 million people through social media in its first two weeks - but there is still lots of love to share.
Tourism operators are being called on to join the #LoveNSW movement by encouraging travellers to book a NSW getaway - at the beach, in the country or outback, across regional centres or in the Harbour City, Sydney.
To become part of the movement, download Destination NSW's new Now's The Time To Love NSW guide to start sharing your love for NSW.
Now’s The Time To Love NSW is for everyone - don’t wait, the time to show the world NSW’s unique beauty is NOW.
This week Destination NSW took the love to 3000+ delegates at AIME, Asia-Pacific’s leading trade show for the business event industry. Represented by a record 29 regional NSW conferencing venues and suppliers, Destination NSW’s Meet In Regional NSW stand included a giant floral heart for delegates to be photographed with and to share on social media. Read more about NSW's involvement at AIME.
SNOWYS TO HOST LGNSW TOURISM CONFERENCE
Local Government NSW’s annual Tourism Conference will provide participants with advice, discussion and support in how to attract visitors after natural disasters -among other industry topics - when it takes place in the Snowy Mountains next month.
The conference, hosted at Rydges Horizons Snowy Mountains in Jindabyne, is open to all industry representatives including operators, Local Government tourism managers and Visitor Information Centre managers.
The three-day event, from Monday 16 to Wednesday 18 March, will feature sessions on:
- NSW's Tourism Recovery Plan
- Open for business - attracting visitors after a natural disaster
- Safety management and crisis management workshop
- Planning for the future - advocating better for regional tourism locally and nationally
- Capitalising on business events
- Measuring the impact of the visitor economy and;
- Trade exhibition set up including a smartphone video workshop.
There are special interest sessions for Visitor Information Centre representatives, metropolitan delegates and regional delegates, a selection of two digital workshops (digital marketing 101 and a masterclass) and a special presentation by NSW National Parks and Wildlife about responding to natural disasters.
Registrations are now open - participants must secure their own accommodation prior to sign up. Register at lgnsw.org.au
ONE WEEK TO GO UNTIL MARDI GRAS PARADE
Thousands of revellers will fill the streets of Sydney next weekend to celebrate the 2020 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, which this year is inspired by theme “WHAT MATTERS”.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said, “Since 2009, the NSW Government has proudly supported the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade through Destination NSW. Sydney is a truly cosmopolitan city with a proud history of celebrating diversity, so it’s no wonder visitors flock from all around the globe to witness this incredible display of pride and creativity.”
More than 12,600 participants will take part in the iconic procession down Oxford Street and Flinders Street next Saturday 29 February, shining a global spotlight on LGBTQI lives, culture, communities and creativity. The Parade will hold extra significance this year, as it’s the first since Sydney was announced as the host city for WorldPride 2023.
It will also be the first time the entire Parade has been broadcast live on SBS, with a special broadcast airing from 7.30pm, as well as a live stream via SBS On Demand - making it available to watch around the world.
The broadcast will feature special interviews with celebrity guests Sam Smith, Dua Lipa and Kesha.
The Parade is free for everyone to watch from Oxford and Flinders streets. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early to secure a good vantage spot.
WELCOME TO THE BIG DANCE! SYDNEY OFFICIALLY WELCOMES THE T20 WORLD CUP
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor and Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres officially welcomed the Australian and Indian Women’s cricket teams to NSW this week ahead of the T20 Women’s World Cup 2020 opening match at Sydney Showground Stadium tonight.
Mrs Taylor said the welcome event, held at Sydney Opera House on Wednesday, was just a taste of what is set to be one of the biggest sporting events of 2020.
“We’re thrilled to welcome visitors from far and wide to our world class venue for what will be an electric world cup series,” Mrs Taylor said.
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said the ICC Women’s and Men’s T20 World Cup were secured as part of the NSW Government’s plans to host 10 World Cups in 10 years.
“Almost 40,000 interstate and international visitors are expected to travel to NSW for both tournaments, injecting an estimated $46 million into the State’s economy,” Mr Ayres said.
The Women’s T20 World Cup will comprise of 10 teams playing 23 matches between 21 February and 8 March 2020. The series will be followed by the Men’s T20 World Cup, which begins on 18 October 2020.
Acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee said tickets are still available starting from $5 for children and $20 for adults.
“The world will be watching when defending champions Australia take on India in a classic opening match. I encourage sports fans to come to Sydney Showground Stadium this Friday and support our female cricketers as they begin their road to glory,” Minister Lee said.
Tickets are on sale for both tournaments at t20worldcup.com. Read more about the free T20 fan activations.
VOYAGER OF THE SEAS WELCOME ARRIVAL IN EDEN
The largest cruise ship to ever visit Eden - Voyager of the Seas - docked at the South Coast port this week.
It was the maiden voyage for the ship, and its owner cruise line Royal Caribbean, to Eden. The ship measures 311m long and 63m high making it the largest vessel to ever anchor in Twofold Bay.
More than 3,460 passengers and 700 crew disembarked in Eden to explore the town and surrounding Sapphire Coast - more people than the population of the town itself.
Voyager of the Seas was originally scheduled on a 14-day round trip South Pacific cruise, however adjusted its itinerary due to unexpected port closures in the region. The ship departed from Sydney on 5 February before returning to the Harbour City two weeks later and Eden was the final stop.
Passengers had a full day to explore Eden and surrounds on tours including Pambula Lake Oyster Cruise with Captain Sponges Magical Oyster Tours and Longstocking Brewery; Cat Balou cruise to Twofold Bay; tours of the villages of the Sapphire Coast; a self-guided walking photography tour with Double Take; and a sumptuous oyster feast at Wheelers Restaurant.
BUSINESS EVENTS TO TURBOCHARGE RECOVERY
An expanded partnership between the NSW Government and the tourism industry to drive even more business events in regional NSW will help turbocharge the recovery efforts by the NSW Government and industry partners.
Destination NSW, the NSW Business Chamber and Business Events Sydney this week pledged to support the State’s visitor economy by facilitating meetings, conferences and corporate events in all parts of the state.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, John Barilaro said he urges every Sydney-based business, organisation and government department to plan a conference, meeting or business event in the bush.
“People visiting regional areas in NSW for business purposes spend around 33% more than those visiting for leisure, so it is important the NSW Government and organisations continue to support the regions in this way,” Mr Barilaro said.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres said the Destination NSW resource will be bolstered by industry campaigns.
“Importantly, Meet in NSW complements the NSW Business Chamber’s new member campaign, Backing the Bush, and the work of Business Events Sydney in promoting the Harbour City as the gateway to satellite business event programs in the Hunter, Central Coast and beyond,” Mr Ayres said.
BLUE MOUNTAINS GRAND CANYON GLOWS BY NIGHT
The community of outdoor adventure guides who work in the Blue Mountains has come together to create Adventure Aid - a weekend of adventures in the area to raise money and awareness for the environmental recovery effort. Adventure Aid aims to support the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and Blue Mountains City Council to make the area safe and environmentally responsible for visitors to enjoy the canyons, cliffs, campsites and tracks once again. Adventure Aid is a series of adventures on the weekend of 29 February to 1 March 2020 with proceeds going to this important cause. The weekend includes a special opportunity known as The Grandest Canyon – Glow Worms by Night. The unique canyon adventure will take place on Saturday 29 February and includes abseiling into the Grand Canyon that features ferny glades and towering rock walls, before exploring the dark depths of the chamber as it glistens with glow worms, akin to a starry night. For more information and to book go to bmac.com.au
HYDE PARK BARRACKS HERALDS NEW JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY
After a year-long renewal, Hyde Park Barracks reopens - unveiling a rich, extraordinary new experience like no other in Australia. Combining tradition with ground breaking audio technology, visitors will not only follow in the footsteps of real people who encountered the Barracks – they will relive it. The renewed Hyde Park Barracks tells the stories of all those who were affected by the site; convicts, immigrants, destitute women and the impact on Aboriginal communities. The reopening coincides with the launch of Jonathan Jones’ untitled (maraong manaóuwi) art installation. It features 2,000 maraong manaóuwi (emu footprint)/broad arrow designs created with red and white gravel sourced from Wiradjuri Country, covering the entire 2,500 square metres of Hyde Park Barracks courtyard. The installation is presented by Sydney Living Museums and City of Sydney as part of the Art & About program. For more information: Hyde Park Barracks - Sydney Living Museums
TUMBAFEST TURNS ON A SHOW FOR SNOWYS
Snowy Valleys premier celebration of music, food and wine is set to be one of the biggest yet. Headlining Bendigo Bank Tumbafest on Saturday 22 February is Kate Ceberano, Australia’s high priestess of pop, while blues and country tunes will take centre stage on Sunday 23 Feburary starring The Wolfe Brothers. “Tumbafest has grown to be one of the must do events on the Music, Food & Wine scene with thousands flocking to Tumbarumba for the event held on the last weekend of February, “ Event Coordinator Karly Fynn said. Nestled on the western side of the Snowy Mountains, Tumbarumba produces some of Australia’s finest cold climate wines and produce, which will be on show at the Costa Group to present A Taste of Tumbafest – a comprehensive tasting of three styles of Tumbarumba wines. For more information and the full program: tumbafest.com.au
