DESTINATION NSW TAPS INTO THE
WELLNESS TRAVEL OPPORTUNITY Wellness travel is projected to cross the $1 trillion mark globally in 2024 with significant potential for NSW visitor economy businesses to tap into opportunities in the booming sector. Wellness travel involves activities associated with the pursuit of maintaining or enhancing one’s personal wellbeing. Australia ranked ninth in the world for wellness travel in 2022, with an estimated $21.8 million in visitor expenditure. According to the Global Wellness Institute wellness travel is growing
significantly faster than tourism overall. It forecasts wellness trips will comprise 8.3 per cent of all visitor trips by 2027. Destination NSW has created a 'Quick tips for creating wellness experiences' guide to help NSW visitor economy businesses benefit from growing demand. While wellness travel is often associated with spas, health resorts and yoga retreats, 'Quick tips for creating wellness experiences' explores how NSW accommodation and experience providers can add wellness elements into their visitor experiences. Wellness
travel offers an opportunity for visitors to prioritise their wellbeing while exploring new destinations and cultures. Visitors are searching for experiences where they can be immersed in nature, enjoy local food and culture, attend workshops and learn new skills, practice mindfulness, connect with loved ones or be pampered. By incorporating wellness elements into regular product offerings, visitor economy businesses can meet the varying needs and budgets of wellness visitors. Destination NSW has also produced an on-demand webinar that provides practical tips for accommodation, visitor attractions and tour providers. View the webinar here.
FOCUS ON INDIA PUTS REGIONAL NSW
IN THE SPOTLIGHTNew Tourism Research Australia data shows India is the fastest growing inbound tourism market for regional NSW. Indian visitor levels rose 38 per cent in the year ending December 2023 compared to the year ending December 2019. Destination NSW recently hosted a delegation of 36 key travel partners during its annual Focus on India event, which showcased the array of visitor experiences on offer throughout the state. Delegates received a true taste of NSW during the event, visiting regional NSW locations such as the Blue Mountains, the South Coast and Port Stephens. Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox said: "The team at Destination NSW is privileged to have had the opportunity to
host the delegation from India. It was great to be able to spend time together and hear firsthand their insights, including that Indian travellers are increasingly seeking experiential travel options. “The event provided an invaluable platform for NSW visitor economy operators to develop business relationships with key Indian travel partners. These new connections will expose our local operators to new and bigger audiences, supporting businesses and thousands of jobs throughout the state’s visitor economy.”
NSW LEADS CARAVAN AND CAMPING BOOMThe NSW caravan and camping sector is breaking records with 2023 data showing visitors spent 19.7 million nights in caravan and camping accommodation across the state, up 14 per cent on the previous year and five per cent on 2019 results. Caravan and Camping Industry Association (NSW) CEO Lyndel Gray said: “NSW is growing at a considerable pace, far outstripping other states in the number of nights spent in caravan and camping accommodation and taking the dominant place in the national market. “Holiday parks have become more than once-a-year
destinations, they offer a wealth of attractions in some of the best locations where people can reconnect with nature or enjoy the local scene, making them ideal year-round destinations." The results for the year ending December 2023 show: - 2023 saw the highest number of caravan and camping nights ever recorded in NSW
- Visitors enjoyed 4.96 million caravan and camping trips, up six per cent on 2022 and four per cent on 2019
- 30–54-year-olds and over-55s were the most engaged caravan and camping markets
- NSW intrastate travel continued to dominate, accounting for 74 per cent of overnight trips and 68 per cent of visitor nights.
Caravan and Camping Industry Association (NSW) said the caravan and camping sector delivered significant economic value to rural and regional communities, with visitors directly spending more than $3.5 billion in NSW.
DARK SPECTRUM RETURNS TO VIVID SYDNEYDark Spectrum will return to Vivid Sydney from 24 May to 15 June 2024. Taking place in railway tunnels underneath Wynyard Station it will feature eight themed chambers, each with a monochromatic colour scheme and electronic dance music. Visitors will experience 300 rhythmic lasers and strobe lights, 500 hanging handmade lanterns, 250 search lights and 700 illuminated arrows within an intricate maze. Dark Spectrum is presented by Vivid Sydney and Sony Music Entertainment. Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW.
DESTINATION NSW HOSTS CRUISE WORKSHOPDestination NSW hosted the first of its cruise ready workshops on 4 April in Eden. Held at the Seahorse Inn, Destination NSW joined with cruise industry experts to discuss how visitor economy businesses in the region can make the most of the cruise opportunity. Eden’s summer cruise season for 2023/24 was the busiest on record, with 100,000 passengers and crew visiting the port and injecting an estimated $19 million into the local visitor economy. Data from Cruise Lines International Association shows each domestic cruise passenger spends on average of $197 per day when they are in a port.
NEW DATA TO BOOST BUSINESS EVENTSTourism Research Australia (TRA) is publishing detailed business events data as part of its official statistics, following new questions being added to the National Visitor Survey (NVS) and International Visitor Survey (IVS). In 2023, TRA reported visitors travelling for business events spent $20.9 billion in Australia during their trip. International visitors spent $2.6 billion, domestic overnight spend was $16.9 billion and domestic daytrip spend was $1.4 billion. The new TRA measurements are designed to help visitor economy stakeholders better understand the business events sector and assist with industry planning.
JOIN BUSINESS EVENTS NSW SHOWCASEDestination NSW is inviting regional NSW stakeholders to join its upcoming Business Events NSW Showcase. The Business Events NSW Showcase will bring the 'Corporate events that feel anything but' messaging to life at Sydney’s Collider event space on 15 May 2024. It will connect regional NSW businesses with Sydney-based corporate, association, government and professional conference organisation buyers. There are a range of different partnership opportunities available for the Business Events NSW Showcase, each with specific selection criteria and inclusions. Expressions of interest in partnerships close on 6 April 2024.
CLOSING SOON: REGIONAL EVENT FUNDApplications for the Destination NSW Regional Event Fund close on 9 April 2024. This program offers $1.5 million in funding to support the development and delivery of high-quality regional events held during the 2024/25 financial year. Since its establishment, the Regional Event Fund has distributed over $14 million to more than 450 events, including the Narooma Oyster Festival, Sail Port Stephens and Bluesfest, which have grown to become bucket list experiences and key drivers of visitation to regional NSW.
WORLD'S BEST ROOFTOP BARSWatsons Bay Boutique Hotel has been named 10th best rooftop bar in the world. A study by Mandoe Media analysed 703,289 online customer reviews from 997 bars across 135 global cities to create the list. TripAdvisor ratings, drinks prices and Instagram shares were all taken into account. Nine Sydney bars made the list in addition to Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel: The Glenmore Hotel, Corridor, SoCal, The Golden Sheaf, The Light Brigade, Royal Hotel Paddington, Bridgeview Hotel and Strawberry Hills Hotel.
SUPPORT PACKAGE FOR NSW WINE INDUSTRYFollowing the Chinese Government's removal of tariffs on Australian wine, the NSW Government will roll out events, initiatives and in-market activations to assist companies to re-enter the market, including a NSW Wine Destination e-commerce training program; a New and Hidden Gems Chinese Buyers Mission to NSW; a NSW Going Global Export Program focused on beverages to Greater China; and a roadshow reintroducing the NSW wine industry to Chinese importers and distributors.
SWIFT LIFT IN FEBRUARY RETAIL SALES Australian retail turnover rose 0.3 per cent (seasonally adjusted) in February 2024, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This followed a rise of 1.1 per cent in January 2024 and a fall of 2.1 per cent in December 2023. Ben Dorber, ABS head of retail statistics, said: "Seven sold-out Taylor Swift concerts in Sydney and Melbourne boosted retail spending, with over 600,000 Swifties flocking to these events. This led to increased spending on clothing, merchandise, accessories and dining out."
EV CHARGING GRANTS EXTENDEDThe NSW Government is investing $20 million to support the growth of the NSW visitor economy by catering for an increasing number of electric vehicle (EV) drivers. It is providing grants to assist regional NSW businesses and councils to purchase and install EV chargers. The closing date for round two applications has been extended to 2 August 2024.
REDLINE GAMES RETURN TO PENRITHRedline Games will be held at Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith from 5-7 April 2024. The event will include urban, water and land-based sports including triathlons, runs, open water swims, road cycling, speed skating, dragon boating, coastal rowing, yoga and break dancing. Redline Games is supported proudly by Destination NSW.
JOIN OUR VISITOR EXPERIENCE WORKSHOPSDestination NSW is presenting a series of experience development workshops at locations throughout NSW during 2024. The free, full-day workshops are designed to assist businesses including tour, attraction and accommodation providers to create and refine experiences that meet visitor needs and showcase the strengths of NSW. The workshops will look at the foundations of great, bookable visitor experiences and delve into focus areas such as agritourism, nature, culinary and wellness experiences.
NEW GRAND CLIFF TOP WALK OPENSA walking journey from Wentworth Falls to Katoomba is now on offer with the launch of the multi-day Grand Cliff Top Walk in the Blue Mountains. The 19km walk, delivered by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service in partnership with Blue Mountains City Council, immerses visitors in the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park. It is part of a network of 13 NSW Great Walks being established in NSW national parks to offer world-class
bushwalking experiences for domestic and international visitors.
JETSTAR LAUNCHES OSAKA TO SYDNEY SERVICEJetstar is celebrating the relaunch of Australia’s only direct service between Osaka and Sydney. The flight marks the first time in 15 years the carrier has operated this route from Japan’s second biggest city after Tokyo. Jetstar will operate three return services per week. Japan is the seventh largest source market for international visitors to NSW.
BRIDGERTON IS HEADING TO BOWRALTo celebrate the upcoming season of Bridgerton, select locations around Bowral in the Southern Highlands of NSW will be given a splash of regency magic from 16-23 April. Netflix will work with local businesses in Bowral to create a unique fan experience, including preview screenings of the first episode of season three at Empire Cinemas.
RESOURCES FOR WORKFORCE CHALLENGESThe Australian Government offers a range of resources to assist visitor economy businesses looking for staff. Recruiting mature-age workers can help address labour shortages. Learn more here. People with disability can make valuable contributions, with JobAccess providing free support. Learn more here. Workforce Australia offers free services and resources for hiring workers aged under 25. Learn more here.
AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS TOURISM CONFERENCEThe 2024 Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference will be held in Melbourne from 29-31 October. The conference provides Aboriginal tourism businesses with an opportunity to forge new partnerships with wholesale and retail operators, including airlines, accommodation and media, while showcasing their product through a globally recognised forum. It will include workshops and education sessions.
SPENDING ON TRAVEL RISESHousehold spending was 3.6 per cent higher than a year ago, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Robert Ewing, ABS head of business statistics, said: “The 3.6 per cent rise in spending follows increases of 1.2 per cent in December, and 2.9 per cent in January. Consumers are also spending more on transport services such as air travel, tours and cruises compared to the same time last year.”
DRONE SHOW RETURNS TO VIVID SYDNEYVivid Sydney's popular drone show is returning to the skies over Sydney Harbour in 2024 with a ‘Love is in the air’ theme. Vivid Sydney will take place from 24 May to 15 June, with drone shows on 8, 9 and 15 June. Vivid Sydney 2023 drew a record 3.28 million visitors to Sydney CBD, with its 'Written in the Stars' drone show watched by an estimated half a million people. Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS SAVE THE DATE - DESTINATION AUSTRALIA 2025: Destination Australia 2025 will be held on 19 March 2025 in Sydney. Watch a recap video of Destination Australia 2024 here BESYDNEY GLOBAL AMBASSADOR APPOINTED AS AUSTRALIA'S NEW
GOVERNOR-GENERAL: Samantha Mostyn AO will succeed His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d) to become Australia’s 28th Governor-General when she is sworn in on 1 July 2024. Learn more BETTER BUS STOPS FOR REGIONAL NSW: A $1.6 million NSW Government funding injection is delivering safer, more accessible and improved public transport infrastructure in regional NSW. Learn more VISION FOR COFFS JETTY PRECINCT TAKES SHAPE: The masterplan will create a self-sustaining, cost-neutral precinct that will reinvest all proceeds into improving the foreshore’s public areas. Learn more NEW SYDNEY WATERFRONT COMPANY MARCH VISITATION: Total precinct footfall was up seven per cent in March 2024 compared with the previous month. Visitation across the month was up 4 per cent year-on-year. Learn more ROPE SKILLS REFRESHER WORKSHOP: Outdoors NSW & ACT and Blue Mountains Climbing School are hosting a professional development workshop for the abseiling sector on 31 May 2024. Learn more
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