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A MESSAGE FROM DESTINATION NSW CEO
It’s been a week of highs and lows for the State’s visitor economy.
First, the fantastic news about the 2021-22 NSW State Budget, with $373 million to be invested in initiatives to accelerate the recovery and growth of our visitor economy and support industry operators and partners in the year to come.
The announcement by Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres gives us confidence to look ahead, to aim big and think boldly about how we can all work together to attract visitors to our great State and give them experiences they will be energised by and want to return for.
We know the visitor economy is everyone’s business, and this year’s State Budget reinforced that with related investment across many sectors – regional, national parks, arts and culture and trade and industry – that will make a huge difference to the coordinated delivery of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030.
It was particularly pleasing to hear about the new Regional Tourism Activation Fund announced by Deputy Premier John Barilaro, committing $30 million to the development of new and enhanced tourism infrastructure across regional NSW. Applications are open, and I encourage you all to review the criteria and consider whether you and your community might be eligible.
Hear more about the State Budget and the benefits for the visitor economy from Minister Ayres in the video below.
It was also great to see targeted initiatives in the Budget to support the Sydney CBD, which continues to be affected by the lack of international visitors and the impact of fewer workers in the city.
Unfortunately, we are reminded again this week just how challenging the pandemic is for the visitor economy, particularly in Greater Sydney and surrounding areas with the new and necessary restrictions introduced following an escalation in cases.
Destination NSW has responded to the new restrictions as we and our industry partners always have – with agility, resilience and optimism. We’ve paused our campaigns and other promotional activity; we’ve supported our stakeholder network in making tough but informed decisions; and we’ve remained connected with our social media followers to keep them inspired, hopeful and dreaming of their next Sydney and NSW escape.
We must all remain vigilant, follow the latest NSW Health advice, and stay up to date with the latest developments and any new information and advice. Please go to nsw.gov.au/COVID-19 and follow NSW Health on Facebook and Twitter for the latest announcements.
Above all, please stay positive. There is much to be optimistic about and we will prove once again that we respond better to these challenges together. Please reach out to Destination NSW any time. We are with you on this journey.
Steve Cox
COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS EXTENDED FOR GREATER SYDNEY
To further protect the people of NSW from the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, the following restrictions have today been extended until at least midnight Friday 2 July for Greater Sydney, the Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour:
- Visitors to households will be limited to five guests – including children;
- Masks will be compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including workplaces, and at organised outdoor events;
- Drinking while standing at indoor venues will not be allowed;
- Singing by audiences at indoor shows or by congregants at indoor places of worship will not be allowed;
- Dancing will not be allowed at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs however, dancing is allowed at weddings for the bridal party only (no more than 20 people);
- Dance and gym classes limited to 20 per class (masks must be worn);
- The one person per four square metre rule will be re-introduced for all indoor and outdoor settings, including weddings and funerals;
- Outdoor seated events will be limited to 50 per cent seated capacity;
- Previous public transport capacity limits, represented by green dots, will be reintroduced;
- If you live or work in the City of Sydney, Waverley, Randwick, Canada Bay, Inner West, Bayside, and Woollahra local government areas, you cannot travel outside metropolitan Sydney for non-essential reasons.
In addition from 11:59pm tonight until 2 July, residents of, or people whose usual place of work is in Woollahra, Waverley, Randwick and City of Sydney Local Government Areas, must stay at home unless it is for an essential reason including:
- Shopping for food or other essential goods and services
- Medical care or compassionate needs
- Exercise outdoors in groups of 10 or fewer
- Essential work, or education, where you cannot work or study from home.
Residents across Greater Sydney should also limit unnecessary activity and avoid large gatherings in coming days and comply with the current restrictions.
The government and health experts will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updated information and advice. For more information, visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19.
JEWISH MUSEUM UPGRADE TO PRESERVE HOLOCAUST HISTORY
More school students across NSW will have the opportunity to learn about the history of the Holocaust with a new education building, exhibition space and expanded archives to be built at the Sydney Jewish Museum.
The world-class museum which receives around 60,000 visitors every year, half of which are students, will benefit from a $6.25 million contribution for the museum’s expansion thanks to the NSW Government.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the NSW Government assistance would help the museum ensure schools across the State are educated on the history of the Holocaust and the stories of those who survived it.
“As we come closer to a time when Holocaust survivors will no longer be able to share their stories, this expansion of the Sydney Jewish Museum will provide a vital link to ensure the Holocaust is always remembered by future generations," Mr Perrottet said.
“This funding will help preserve the history of the Holocaust and keep alive the memory of victims and survivors, allowing more visitors through a state-of-the-art facility to learn about the history of the Holocaust.”
The $6.25 million includes $3.5 million for a new education building for students with curriculum-linked studies and $2.75 million for temporary exhibition spaces and archives, raising the capacity from 250 students per day to more than 300.
For more information and to plan your visit to the Museum, go to www.sydneyjewishmuseum.com.au.
NOMINATIONS EXTENDED FOR NSW TOURISM AWARDS
Nominations for the 2021 NSW Tourism Awards have been extended until Friday 9 July 2021.
The NSW Tourism Awards offers all businesses operating in the NSW visitor economy the opportunity to unite in celebration of the outstanding innovation and resilience shown to overcome the challenges faced over the past two years.
There are 29 categories on offer, capturing a range of tourism services across the broader visitor economy.
Two new awards have been introduced in 2021 to recognise emerging talent in the sector via the Young Achiever in Tourism Award, and the important role of local government with the introduction of the Local Government Award for Excellence in Tourism.
The NSW Tourism Awards are presented in partnership with the NSW Government and Destination NSW, with the revised date for nominations now Friday 9 July and the final date for submissions Wednesday 8 September 2021.
Winners will be announced at a gala function to be held in Sydney in November, with winners in select categories representing NSW at the Australian Tourism Awards to be held in early 2022.
For more information and to nominate, visit NSW Tourism Awards.
LEADERSHIP UNITES FOR THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIA’S BUSINESS EVENTS
The business events industry’s leadership convened at ICC Sydney earlier this month to prepare for the future of business events in Australia.
The Business Events Industry Roundtable was jointly hosted by the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) and Tourism Australia, and focussed on building an understanding of the immediate objectives for the sector as well as obtaining business events industry insights to inform the ‘Reimaging the Visitor Economy Strategy for Tourism 2030’.
Representatives from Tourism Australia, Business Events Australia, Austrade and the expert panel overseeing the Federal Government’s ‘Reimaging the Visitor Economy strategy for Tourism 2030’ were in attendance.
Tourism Australia’s Managing Director Phillipa Harrison opened the workshop and said: “During what has been the most challenging period on record for tourism, we welcomed the opportunity to support the business events sector in bringing together key stakeholders from across the industry to discuss what’s next in these uncertain times.”
BECA Deputy Chair Geoff Donaghy said: “There was strong support for BECA to continue its role of uniting the industry and its advocacy role with the Federal Government.
“There was an endorsement of the BECA Recovery and Rebound Framework, as the vehicle to deliver this message, which will now include an industry vision to 2030. There was also strong acknowledgement for a broader membership and resourcing base in this role.”
The next steps recognised by the leadership group were to:
• Advocate to Government for a clear re-opening roadmap for business events
• Review and refresh the BECA Recovery and Rebound Framework for united industry advocacy including a vision to 2030, to be shared with the Reimagining the Visitor Economy Expert Panel
• Undertake industry consultation for consolidating business events representation and increasing resourcing for the peak body to promote consistent messaging.
To help plan your next business event in NSW, go to www.meetinnsw.com.au.
SUPPORTING AUSTRALIA’S COVID-19 RECOVERY THROUGH SKILLED MIGRATION
The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke this week announced the inclusion of a range of skilled occupations on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL).
The PMSOL, first announced in September 2020, is developed in conjunction with the National Skills Commission to ensure a small number of critical occupations are filled to continue to create Australian jobs and aid in Australia’s ongoing recovery from the impact of COVID-19.
Minister Hawke said the Government engaged with small, medium and large Australian employers, business leaders, and industry bodies across the economy to determine these changes.
“Government has received valuable feedback from Australian business stakeholders on critical skill vacancies, which has been considered together with data from the National Skills Commission, in order to develop this week’s update to the Priority Migration Skilled Migration List,” he said.
“The Morrison Government will continue to support Australian businesses, including through skilled migration, as the engine room of our nation’s economy.”
The 22 new occupations are:
Accountant (General), Accountant (Taxation), Accountant (Management), External Auditor, Internal Auditor, Electrical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Structural Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, Transport Engineer, Mining Engineer, Petroleum Engineer, Surveyor, Cartographer, Other Spatial Scientist, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Orthotist / Prosthetist, Multimedia Specialist, Analyst Programmer, Software and Applications Programmers, ICT Security Specialist and Chef.
Visa holders, who have been sponsored by an Australia business in a PMSOL occupation, will be subject to quarantine arrangements at their own expense. Existing skilled migration occupation lists will remain active and visas will still be processed, but priority will be given to those in occupations on the PMSOL.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR 2021 NCHA FUTURITY
Tickets for the 2021 National Cutting Horse Association’s (NCHA) Futurity are now on sale, with the event set to kick off from 26 July until 8 August in Tamworth. Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “The NCHA Futurity is an icon of the region and attracts competitors and visitors from all over the country to Tamworth. The NSW Government is proud to support events such as the Futurity, creating a platform for communities to showcase their region and local hospitality, and to secure the economic and social benefits that come with hosting nationally acclaimed events.” NCHA President Troy Randell said: “This and other equine industries are going through a really strong growth period and this is being reflected in our entries this year. We’re expecting to pay out more than $750,000 in prizemoney in the final week of the Futurity.” The event will be held at the Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC) and is supported by the NSW Government via Destination NSW. For more information, go to www.ncha.com.au.
NSW FIRST PROGRAM UNDERGOES ONLINE REFRESH
Destination NSW has made it even easier for businesses engaged in the NSW visitor economy to navigate through the industry development program - NSW First - and find relevant resources for tourism businesses. The webpages have been redesigned on the Destination NSW corporate website with the addition of three new pages: Develop, Promote and Sell. This fresh design curates and organises more than 50 resources for tourism businesses to access in a user-friendly way. Develop is focused on establishing great tourism experiences – for businesses just starting out, or for those evolving and taking next steps. Promote is all about getting exposure for businesses through online, media and local networks using well-planned marketing tools including leveraging Destination NSW activities. Sell provides guidance on selling tourism products and experiences online via business websites or third party distributors such as online travel agents. See the full suite of NSW First resources on the Destination NSW website.
NEWCASTLE’S NEWEST RESTAURANT OPENS
The highly anticipated Roundhouse Restaurant has opened on the ninth-floor rooftop of the newly opened Crystalbrook Kingsley in Newcastle. Positioned on the rooftop of one of Newcastle’s most iconic buildings, it is hard to imagine a better vantage point to enjoy views of Newcastle’s harbour, coastline and beyond to the Hunter Valley. Roundhouse is led by Executive Chef Natalie Bolt with a menu focused on local produce and a wine list which showcases the breadth of the Hunter region’s wine varietals. Menu highlights include Pukura Estate lamb rack served with smoked eggplant and wattleseed pickle, Adina Estate olives and polenta cake with sweet fig jus and the sustainably caught Paperbark baked whole market fish with sunrise lime pickle and harissa duck fat potatoes. More information about Roundhouse can be found here.
