NSW NUMBER ONE FOR BUSINESS EVENTSNew data shows NSW is Australia's number one destination for business events. According to Tourism Research Australia, business events contributed $6.06 billion to the NSW visitor economy in the year ending June 2024. This represented 11.5 per cent of total visitor expenditure in the state and 31 per cent of the national total business events expenditure of $19.8 billion. There were more than 6.6 million business travellers to NSW in the year ending June 2024, representing 6.5 per cent of total visitors to the state. International visitors travelling for business events spent $2.5 billion in Australia during the period. The remaining $17.3 billion of expenditure included $16.1 billion from domestic overnight travel and $1.3 billion through domestic daytrips to attend business events. The results follow the International Congress and Convention Association ranking Sydney as Australia’s top destination for business meetings. Pictured main: The World Dental Congress was held at International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) from 24–27 September 2023. © Maxime Anquetil/FDI World Dental Federation.
BUSINESS EVENTS BOOST REGIONAL NSWBusiness events delivered an estimated $6 million in direct expenditure to regional NSW in the year ending June 2024. Destination NSW's Business Events NSW program secured 62 new events for regional NSW during the period. The program aims to raise awareness and consideration for regional NSW as a premier business event destination and drive new event sales enquiries directly to stakeholders.
IMARC CONFERENCE RETURNS TO SYDNEYInternational Mining and Resources Conference + Expo (IMARC) has confirmed Sydney will be the host city in 2025 for the fourth consecutive year. Since the move to Sydney, IMARC has reported record numbers. This year 9000 people attended from 115 countries, contributing an estimated direct expenditure of $17.8 million to the NSW visitor economy. IMARC 2024 was held at International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) and will be held there again next year from 21-23 October.
FOCUS ON NORTH ASIA FAMILS BOOST
REGIONAL ENGAGEMENTDestination NSW showcased NSW visitor experiences and businesses to key travel buyers during its Focus on North Asia program from 10-20 November 2024. Around 60 wholesalers, retail agents and online travel agencies from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea took part in the program. Thirty visitor economy businesses from across the state benefitted from one-on-one meetings and networking opportunities, forging connections that will open doors and expose NSW to new and bigger audiences. The delegates visited destinations including Jervis Bay, Shoalhaven, Hunter Valley, Southern Highlands, Port Stephens, Newcastle and the Blue Mountains.
APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR NORTH AMERICA
ROADSHOW 2025Destination NSW has opened seller applications for its North America Roadshow 2025, a targeted trade mission designed to promote NSW to key travel buyers. NSW visitor economy businesses are invited to apply for participation in the roadshow, which will include two full-day workshops, two travel advisor events and networking opportunities in Los Angeles and New York City from 9-13 March 2025. Destination NSW is providing subsidised access for businesses to the roadshow via its New Market Product Pathway. The initiative will support businesses that are newly export-ready or new to the North America market to attend the event.
MAJOR OVERHAUL FOR SYDNEY AIRPORTSydney Airport has unveiled its design vision for a $200 million overhaul of the T2 Domestic terminal. The terminal's first major redevelopment in more than three decades will aim to provide a faster, smoother and more efficient travel experience for the 17 million passengers who use T2 every year.
BEST LIVE ACT REVEALED AT ARIA AWARDSThe 2024 ARIA Awards were held at Sydney's Hordern Pavillion on 20 November 2024, supported proudly by Destination NSW. Destination NSW also presented the award for Best Australian Live Act, which was won by Missy Higgins. The singer was inducted into the 2024 ARIA Hall of Fame.
2024 CCIA NSW AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCEDThe 2024 Caravan & Camping Industry Association NSW Awards of Excellence winners have been announced. Destination NSW proudly supported the NSW Holiday Park of the Year (less than 100 sites) and NSW Holiday Park of the Year (more than 100 sites) categories, with gold trophies being awarded to BIG4 River Myall Holiday Resort and Tasman Holiday Parks – North Star.
SPECIAL ENTERTAINMENT PRECINCT GRANTSA new $1 million Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) Kickstart Grant Program has been announced by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner. The program will provide councils that have already committed to establishing a SEP in their local government area with an opportunity to apply for funding ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 to help establish SEPs.
2024 SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS WINNERSThe winners of the 2024 NSW Sustainability Awards have been unveiled. Trophy winners included Hawkesbury City Council (Large Business Sustainable Leadership Award) and Taronga Conservation Society Australia (Net Zero Action Award, Sustainable Tourism Award).
2024 PREMIER’S AWARDS WINNERSNSW public servants have been recognised for their service and impact at the 2024 Premier’s Awards. Recipients included the Uptown District Acceleration Program by the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport, which won the 'Building a resilient economy' category.
NEW TOURISM AUSTRALIA BOARD MEMBERSFour new members have been appointed to the Tourism Australia Board: Accommodation Australia National Policy Director Jenny Lambert OAM, former Australian Government Minister Michael Lee, former Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Associate Secretary Tim Yeend and Pivot Group chair Peter Laurance AO.
AD CAMPAIGN TARGETS INDIAN TRAVELLERSA new Tourism Australia advertising campaign has launched ahead of the Australia-India Test cricket series to encourage Indian travellers to book an Australian holiday. Cricketer Pat Cummins appears in a TV commercial that highlights visitor experiences including a game of cricket on Sydney’s Palm Beach.
WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY TOURISM MoUWestern Sydney University has become the inaugural education member of the NSW Tourism Association, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that aims to create career pathways and professional development opportunities for students and alumni, contributing to the skilled visitor economy workforce.
TRAVEL SPENDING RISES FOR OVER 60sThe latest CommBank iQ Cost of Living Insights Report (July to September 2024) has revealed a surge in travel spending by Australians aged 60-69 (up eight per cent) and those over 70 (up 12 per cent). However, travel spending by 18 to 29 year olds during the period was down five per cent.
NSW SECURES UTMB WORLD MAJOR STATUSHOKA Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB, the largest trail running festival in the Southern Hemisphere, has been announced as the newest UTMB World Series Major. The event, supported proudly by Destination NSW, will take place in the Blue Mountains from 15-18 May 2025.
GLOBAL ROLE FOR
ATIA CEOThe World Travel Agents Associations Alliance has appointed Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) CEO Dean Long as its Vice Chair. The executive committee's key areas of focus include tackling the complexities of New Distribution Capability (NDC) and addressing travel fraud.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTSAUSTRALIAN FASHION LAUREATE WINNERS ANNOUNCED: Supported proudly by Destination NSW, Designer of the Year was awarded to Lesleigh Jermanus at ALÈMAIS. Learn more NEW REFORMS TO RAISE CAPACITY AT VENUES: NSW Government reforms have been proposed, including increasing capacity at venues that
provide outdoor dining. Communities, councils and industry have been invited to have their say. Learn more PENRITH TO HOST 2025 LGNSW ANNUAL CONFERENCE: The event will be held at Western Sydney Conference Centre from 23-25 November 2025. Learn more 2024 NATIONAL CHERRY FESTIVAL FOR YOUNG: The festival will be held from 29 November to 1
December, supported proudly by Destination NSW's Regional Event Fund. Learn more TRAVELLERS PLAN MORE HOLIDAYS IN 2025: New research by Marriott Bonvoy shows that 42 percent of travellers in Europe, Africa and the Middle East plan to go on more holidays in 2025 than in 2024. Learn more NEW TOURISM DATA DASHBOARD: The Australian Government has launched
the LIVE Framework, which measures progress across a range of economic, environmental, social and institutional indicators. Learn more REGIONAL NSW SCORES NRLW MAGIC ROUND: The NSW Government has secured the first NRLW Magic Rounds for regional NSW. More than 40,000 fans are expected at Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium for the inaugural round in July 2025. Learn more NEW SYDNEY FLIGHT TRAINING CENTRE OPENS: Qantas and global training provider CAE have officially opened a new purpose-built flight training centre. Learn more FURTHER SLOT ALLOCATION REFORMS AT SYDNEY AIRPORT: The Australian Government has introduced a bill before Parliament that includes competition reforms recommended by the Harris Review. Learn more
FOLLOW DESTINATION NSW ON LINKEDIN: Stay up to date with all the latest Destination NSW initiatives by following us on LinkedIn. Click here DID YOU ENJOY THIS NEWSLETTER? Forward it to colleagues and friends so they
can subscribe too. Was this issue forwarded to you? Click here to sign up
|