Insights - 23 August 2024
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LATEST TRENDS AMONG CHINA'S BIGGEST
TRAVEL SPENDERS
New research has revealed Chinese women are the world’s biggest travel spenders and decision makers.
The China’s Women in Charge report by FINN Partners, in collaboration with luxury travel expo ILTM Asia Pacific, indicates China's women are making 70-80 per cent of travel decisions. They also account for nearly six out of 10 Chinese leisure travellers, following China reclaiming its position as the world's top spender on international travel.
The report shows that Chinese women are shifting their focus from domestic travel to exploring further afield, with Australia and New Zealand seeing the highest growth in interest, up 35 per cent year on year.
Chinese travellers, especially women, have also undergone notable transformations in recent years in relation to their preferences and expectations.
Learn more here.
DESTINATION NSW LANDS NEW CHINA FLIGHTS
Juneyao Airlines has announced the launch of direct flights between Shanghai and Sydney, scheduled to operate four times per week from 17 December 2024.
Sydney will be the first city in Australia to welcome Juneyao Airlines, which is the ninth mainland China-based carrier to connect with Sydney Airport. Juneyao’s entry will raise seat capacity between mainland China and Sydney to 101 per cent of December 2019 levels.
Destination NSW worked in partnership with Sydney Airport to deliver the new service.
INDUSTRY WELCOMES DIGITAL INCOMING
PASSENGER CARD PILOT
A pilot program has been announced for a digital alternative to the paper incoming passenger card for arrivals into Australia.
Later this year eligible adult passengers on select Qantas flights from New Zealand will be invited to complete the declarations through the Qantas app, up to 72 hours prior to arrival.
This will expand to other airlines as the program progresses beyond the pilot stage.
The trial has been described as a ‘major win’ for the visitor economy by the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) Australia.
Learn more here.
ACCC MONITORS DOMESTIC AIRFARES
FOLLOWING REX WITHDRAWAL
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced it is closely monitoring domestic airfares on services between metropolitan cities following Rex’s withdrawal from this market.
The ACCC’s latest domestic airline competition report shows improved conditions for consumers with declines in airfares, reduced cancellations and improved on-time rates for flights over the first half of 2024.
However, the ACCC has cautioned that consumers may miss out on the benefits of a more competitive domestic airline market if Rex is unable to re-commence its services between metropolitan cities.
VIVID SYDNEY ARTWORK RECEIVES PERMANENT HOME
The Australian National Maritime Museum has announced that Vivid Sydney 2024 artwork Barani will become a permanent part of its First Nations programming.
Barani was projected onto the museum’s rooftop as part of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest multi-artform festival.
Vivid Sydney Curator Gill Minervini said: “The theme of the 2024 festival was Humanity. It aimed to foster connections, spark imagination and showcase the multitude of ways creativity enriches our lives. Barani uses First Nations wisdom to connect people more deeply with the world around us.”
Barani runs continuously in the Bamal Yarning Space daily.
REGISTER TO ATTEND NSW VISITOR ECONOMY FORUM
The NSW Visitor Economy Forum 2024 will be held on 3 October at the ICC Sydney. Attendees will share insights and hear from industry experts on growth opportunities. Destination NSW invites stakeholders including operators, trade partners, industry and government representatives to register for the free event. Learn more here.
INBOUND VISITOR STRATEGY WORKSHOPS
Destination NSW is holding a series of Inbound Strategy Workshops in September 2024 in Greater Sydney, the Hunter region and online. They aim to prepare businesses for selling experiences through travel distribution channels to international visitors arriving via the new Western Sydney International Airport and upgraded Newcastle Airport.
SYDNEY RETAINS NEW YEAR'S TEST
Cricket Australia has confirmed the New Year’s Test will be held in Sydney for the next seven years. An agreement between Cricket Australia and the NSW Government will bring international Test and T20 men’s and women’s cricket matches to Sydney, with ‘Summer of Cricket in Sydney’ marketing and partnership support to be delivered by Destination NSW.
ECO ACCOLADE FOR FIRESCREEK WINERY
Firescreek Botanical Winery on the Central Coast has become Australia’s first ECO Certified winery experience. The winery practices organic farming, while guided tours educate visitors about sustainability. Destination NSW has partnered with Ecotourism Australia to provide eligible businesses with free access to a pre-certification Strive 4 Sustainability Scorecard.
OPEN HOUSE AT NSW PARLIAMENT
To mark the Bicentenary of the NSW Legislative Council, which is Australia’s oldest legislature, an Open House is being held on 25 August 2025 at NSW Parliament. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore Parliament House following its recent restoration, including spaces not usually open to the public.
NSW WINE CELLAR DOOR OPENS
The NSW Wine Industry Association (NSW Wine) has announced a 12-month partnership with Placemaking NSW to establish a regular NSW Wine Cellar Door in The Rocks. Each bi-monthly cellar door will include six wineries and be curated to shine a light on different regions and varieties.
CREATIVE COMMUNITIES COUNCIL ANNOUNCED
The NSW Government has established a Creative Communities Council to advise on sustainably growing the state’s creative industries sector. Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron is the inaugural Chair, while Sydney Fringe Festival Director Kerri Glasscock is Deputy Chair. They are joined by Arts & Cultural Exchange Executive Director Anne Loxley, NSW State Librarian Caroline Butler-Bowdon, Blowfish Studios founder Benjamin Lee, MEAA Chief Executive Erin Madeley, ARIA Head of Policy and Advocacy Julia Robinson, Eastern Riverina Arts Executive Director Tim Kurlowicz, Secretary of the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Elizabeth Mildwater, APRA AMCOS Executive Director Nicholas Pickard and Blackfella Films Producer Darren Dale.
NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL FOR WHITE BAY
White Bay Power Station will host Sydney’s next free music festival, Power Up, which will celebrate the creativity of local talent with more than 100 artists and 200 musicians and performers set to take the stage. The Boiler House will feature DJs, choirs, orchestras and bands. The Turbine Hall will hold family workshops. The headline act will be ARIA-winning singer-songwriter Josh Pyke who grew up around the corner from White Bay Power Station. Visitors can also view finalists for the 14th GreenWay Art Prize. The Power Up Festival is the second free public event to be held at White Bay Power Station and will run from 20-22 September 2024. The NSW Government is developing a long-term strategy for the building to ensure that it becomes a cultural asset for future generations.
FULLY ACCESSIBLE RAILWAY OPENS
Sydney Metro opened this week and has been fully accessible from day one. Each station is built with wheelchairs, prams and accessibility requirements in mind. Features include level and gap-free access between platforms and trains, hearing loop services, braille signage, lifts at all stations, audio and video help points, tactile flooring, accessible toilets and kerb ramps.
DRIVING INCLUSION ON REGIONAL BUSES
The NSW Government is supporting the expansion of the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program to buses in regional NSW. The program gives people with non-visible disabilities such as autism, dementia, chronic pain and anxiety a distinctive green and yellow sunflower-themed lanyard they can wear to signal their need for assistance while using public transport.
REAPPOINTMENT OF TOURISM AUSTRALIA MD
The Board of Tourism Australia has reappointed Phillipa Harrison as Managing Director for a second term. Ms Harrison joined the agency in 2019. Australian Minister for Tourism Don Farrell said: "Under Ms Harrison’s ongoing leadership, I am confident Tourism Australia will continue to do what they do best, encouraging more international visitors to experience our abundant natural beauty, wonderful experiences and world-class food and wine."
AUSTRALIA'S BEST
FINGER BUN
The 2024 Wotif Uniquely Aussie Awards winners have been announced, with NSW taking out Best Finger Bun. Wotif said Sydney's Humble Bakery had transformed the classic finger bun into a gourmet treat. The travel website said: "Featuring dried cranberries, golden raisins, currants, baby-pink cream cheese frosting — and the most important ingredient, a generous slab of butter from the local Coppertree Farm — this decadent and delicious finger bun is far from humble."
ICC SYDNEY WINS BEST CONVENTION CENTRE
International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) has won the Best Convention Centre (Outside of the US) category at the 2024 Skift Meetings Awards. The judging panel was impressed with ICC Sydney's state-of-the-art facilities, high-tech services, personalised and agile support, dining experiences that emphasised sustainability and local sourcing, sustainability ethos, community engagement, social responsibility and approach to accessibility, diversity and inclusion.
ICC SYDNEY CEO BIDS FAREWELL
After a 30-year career at ASM Global, Geoff Donaghy has stepped down as CEO of ICC Sydney and Group Director – Convention Centres, ASM Global (APAC). Under his stewardship ICC Sydney delivered more than 3665 events that attracted 6.4 million visitors who have contributed $3.9 billion in economic benefit to date. ICC Sydney was the first convention centre to release a Reconciliation Action Plan, a Disability Inclusion Action Plan and reach Silver Tier status in Pride in Diversity’s Australian Workplace Equality Index.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
JT TRAVELS NSW HEADS TO CENTRAL COAST: As part of Destination NSW's partnership with Channel Seven’s Weekend Sunrise, the segment will be filmed live from Terrigal and The Entrance on 24-25 August 2024. Learn more
NSW GOVERNMENT BUOYS COASTAL SAFETY: $380,000 in rescue capability and communication grants have been announced to enhance the safety and well-being of coastal communities. Learn more
LATEST CLIMATE CHANGE DATA HELPS NSW WITHSTAND THE HEAT: The NSW Government has released updated Climate Change projections to help governments, agencies, businesses, landholders and communities plan and adapt to the future climate. Learn more
190,000 TAP ONTO SYDNEY METRO ON OPENING DAY: The new driverless service marked the first-ever trains under Sydney Harbour. Learn more
ENTRIES OPEN FOR BANKSIA NATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS: Inspirational individuals, organisations and initiatives that are making a profound difference in Australia’s sustainability landscape have been invited to enter. Learn more
EARLYBIRD REGISTRATIONS CLOSING 25 AUGUST 2024 FOR MTB SYMPOSIUM: Destination NSW is a strategic partner of the mountain biking event, which will be held in Merimbula on 25-26 October. Learn more
ITB BERLIN 2025 APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN: The travel trade show will be held from 4-6 March 2025. Tourism Australia will have a dedicated stand for industry. Learn more
FEEDBACK SOUGHT ON TAXI FARES: Taxi customers, taxi service providers and the community have been invited to provide feedback for a review on the maximum fares for rank and hail services across NSW. Learn more
POWERHOUSE CELEBRATES WESTERN SYDNEY FOOD: Powerhouse Food: Producers is a curated food program showcasing diverse food production landscape of Western Sydney, launching 27 August 2024. Learn more
WORLD-FAMOUS SEA LIFE SYDNEY AQUARIUM PENGUIN PASSES AWAY: Sphen was aged 12. He and partner Magic shot to fame in 2018 when their same-sex relationship made global headlines. Learn more
KEMPSEY'S FIRST REGIONAL ART GALLERY: Nulla Nulla Gallery has been upgrade to regional art gallery status. 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
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