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LONG WEEKEND RECORD ATTENDANCE AT VIVID SYDNEY
Vivid Sydney has welcomed more than 600,000 attendees over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, with hundreds of thousands more expected to enjoy the final nights of the much-loved festival.
The largest festival of Light, Music and Ideas in the Southern Hemisphere continues to surprise and delight visitors from around the world, with overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the bumper crowds were lapping up the world-class design and innovation of the light art installations.
“Well over half a million people flocked to Vivid Sydney over the long weekend – the largest crowd of the past three years – proving Sydney truly is a vibrant place to visit,” Mr Ayres said.
“Even with huge numbers, foot traffic was free-flowing with visitors taking their time, capturing amazing social media moments and sharing their experience with followers around the world.
“At the weekend Luna Park and Taronga Zoo recorded their strongest attendance yet of the 2019 festival, with families and visitors making the most of the great weather.”
Mr Ayres said there was still time for people to check out Vivid Sydney for themselves before Lights Off at 11pm this Saturday 15 June.
“There are only two nights left and still so much for people to enjoy. If you haven’t been, what are you waiting for? If you have visited already, use these last days to explore a different precinct, catch a Vivid Music gig or attend a Vivid Ideas event.
“If you are coming into the CBD, please check the Vivid Sydney website for extensive information about increased public transport services and all road closures that will be in effect."
JUST TWO MORE NIGHTS TO ENJOY VIVID SYDNEY 2019 - LIGHTS OFF IS AT 11PM SATURDAY 15 JUNE
NSW SUPPLIERS PRESENT AT INAUGURAL FOCUS ON JAPAN
The NSW Government, in partnership with its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, has chalked up another first for the State, hosting thirty-three key Japanese agents at the inaugural Destination NSW Focus on Japan event last week.
The delegates attended a one-day workshop held in Sydney to meet with thirty-three NSW tourism suppliers at the Australian National Maritime Museum.
Suppliers included the Sydney Opera House and Taronga Zoo, to adventurous regional attractions, such Port Stephens 4WD Tours, showcasing the versatility of our State’s offerings through one-to-one appointments.
The event was created as part of Destination NSW’s International Business Development program, in partnership with Qantas to further promote their direct service from both Tokyo and Osaka, to Sydney.
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said: "In the past year, we welcomed close to 200,000 visitors from Japan to NSW, injecting over $400 million into the State – up by a staggering 16 per cent on 2017."
Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase said: "Our International Business Development Program encourages an increased presence of NSW products, experiences and destinations in our key markets, educating
international wholesalers and front-line agents about NSW tourism products and destination suppliers."
CLASH OF CULTURES TO LIGHT UP LEICHHARDT PACIFIC TEST INVITATIONAL
Some of the biggest names from the NRL Telstra Premiership competition will don their national colours and converge onto Leichhardt Oval in nine days’ time for the 2019 OX & Palm Pacific Test Invitational.
Robbie Farrah, Mitchell Moses, Viliame Kikau, Anthony Milford and Rhyse Martin are just some of the names that are in-line to feature in the annual clash of cultures and national pride on Saturday 22 June.
Capacity crowds have greeted the triple-header fixture in recent seasons which is why the NRL is encouraging supporters to purchase tickets today.
“There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere of the Pacific Tests and it’s special for international rugby league to be taking place at one of our games most iconic venues in Leichhardt Oval,” NRL Manager of International Strategy Frank Puletua said.
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said the Pacific Test Invitational reinforces Sydney’s reputation as Australia’s home of world-class sporting events.
“The Pacific Test, alongside the upcoming Rugby League World Cup of Nines in October, are two of the most events on the Australian sporting calendar and it’s fantastic that Sydney will host both tournaments,” Mr Ayres said.
For more information and to purchase tickets go to tickets.nrl.com
CHICAGO MUSICAL TICKET PRE-SALE HEATING UP
An additional 30,000 new seats have been released for pre-sale for the multi-award winning musical CHICAGO.
Labelled the ‘sharpest, slickest show on the block’ by The Times, UK, Chicago will bring the sassy, sexy story of housewife and nightclub dancer Roxie Hart and Vaudeville performer Velma Kelly to Sydney’s Capitol Theatre this August.
Starring Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Alinta Chidzey and Casey Donovan, Chicago will keep musical fans on the edge of their seats – which are in hot demand. So much so that an additional 30,000 pre-sale tickets have now been released for the season.
To book tickets, or find out more about the show, chicagothemusical.com.au
TAIPEI GIVEN A TASTE OF NSW
Destination NSW’s Regional Director North Asia Jennifer Tung met with key industry stakeholders in Taipei recently to profile the State’s forthcoming events and new Sydney and regional NSW products and itineraries.
More than 60 travel agents, airlines and travel media attended the briefing to gain a deeper understanding of the latest developments in New South Wales booming tourism industry.
In the year end December 2018 NSW welcomed over 90,000 visitors from Taiwan which was an increase of six per cent over the previous year. These visitors stayed 2.6 million nights and spent an estimated $235 million in NSW.
Working in partnership with the local travel trade has played a significant role in driving visitation to the State.
NEW THREE SISTERS HIKE TO SUPPORT UNICEF
Australia’s first not-for-profit tour operator, Emu Trekkers, has launched a new hike in the Blue Mountains. Trekking the iconic Three Sisters through the wilderness, the walk has been created to exclusively support UNICEF Australia.
Located in the UNESCO world-heritage Blue Mountains National Park, the Three Sisters walk involves climbing more than 800 steps to emerge beneath them. With a 14km hike over five to seven hours, it’s a challenge worth the sensational views and it’s a photographer’s dream.
It is a full day’s experience which includes train travel from Sydney to the Blue Mountains and back. Emu Trekkers’ Three Sisters’ hike is currently running on Saturdays and costs $99. For more information visit www.emutrekkers.org/hikethethreesisters
NSW TOURISM SUPPLIERS IMPRESS UK AND EUROPE
Eleven NSW tourism suppliers showcased Sydney and NSW to more than 400 key UK and European travel agents and product managers in eight cities across 10 days last month.
More than 250 key UK and European travel agents and product managers across Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, Liverpool, Preston, Manchester, London and Paris heard from leading NSW suppliers about the unique experiences and products on offer.
The presenting suppliers were Arts Hotel Sydney, BridgeClimb Sydney, Byron Bay and Beyond, Dreamtime Southern X, Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, Hunter Valley Resort, Lets Go Surfing, merlin Entertainment Group, Sydney Opera House, The Old Clare Hotel and Tourism Solutions.
Further, DNSW gave away nine prize packs to eligible agents including return flights to Sydney thanks to Singapore Airlines and Qantas.
HUSK FARM DISTILLERY NOW OPEN IN TWEED VALLEY
The Husk Farm Distillery has officially opened and is Australia’s first paddock to bottle agricole rum distillery. The single estate distillery is located on the Tweed River, Tumbulgum Northern NSW with views across the Valley to Wollumbin Mt Warning and beyond.
The Tweed Valley is nestled within the eroded core of an ancient shield volcano, and the region is home to a growing agrifood industry. The Husk Farm Distillery is situated on a 60 hectare farm with grazing cattle, sugar cane and twelve hectares of uncleared remnant rainforest. The Messenger family who own and operate the farm distillery are committed to the protection of this important rainforest and follow sustainable practices for growing the raw materials and managing waste on site.
The brand-new distillery will house a cellar door, cocktail bar and Planter’s café. For further information visit www.huskdistillers.com
MERIVALE TO EXPAND IN IVY LANEWAY PRECINCT
Merivale has announced exciting plans to evolve ivy’s laneway precinct and George Street presence with four new bars and eateries to open this year.
The expansion signals a new phase in the evolution of the iconic precinct, as CEO Justin Hemmes focuses his attention towards reinvigorating Sydney’s status as a world-class metropolis.
The project will begin with the July launch of Little Felix, a sister bar to the hatted French bistro on Ash Street, followed by a Middle Eastern concept and Mexican eatery and bar on George Street, and a Totti’s-inspired Italian eatery and bar on Palings Lane.
It coincides with the opening of George Street’s multi-million-dollar pedestrianisation, which is part of the most significant reshaping to ever take place in Sydney, together with the City of Sydney’s push for a 24-hour CBD.
