Insights - 10 November 2023
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CELEBRATING 2023 NSW TOURISM AWARDS WINNERS
The winners of the 2023 NSW Tourism Awards were announced this week during a gala event at White Bay Cruise Terminal Sydney, where more than 500 industry representatives celebrated outstanding visitor economy businesses.
The awards are managed by the NSW Tourism Industry Council powered by Business NSW and supported by Destination NSW.
Gold medals were awarded to businesses in all four corners of the state, from Contained In Nimbin Accommodation to Tumbafest Inc in Tumbarumba and Australian Reptile Park in Somersby to
Oriana Retro Hotel & Resort in Orange.
We were also thrilled to see Destination NSW Board Member Clark Webb on the podium. His Giingan Gumbaynggirr Cultural Experience in Coffs Harbour won Gold for Excellence in the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experience category.
NSW Tourism Industry Council Executive Director Paula Martin said: “The NSW Tourism Awards celebrate those visitor experiences that inspire visitors to #feelnsw and recognise those businesses who exemplify outstanding tourism experiences.
“These businesses provide leadership in innovation, marketing and in the delivery of quality products and services. They also advance and promote the NSW and Australian tourism industry through consistent customer service and quality experiences.
“A highlight of this year’s awards program was the high number of first-time entrants [60], many of whom are new businesses to the sector.
“This level of representation from emerging businesses tells us that innovation is alive and well in tourism and we are proud of the resilience of the sector."
Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said: “We know our visitors don’t just want a selfie in front of the Sydney Opera House, they want to be immersed in the culture of the place and to experience what’s happening in and around iconic buildings, secret neighbourhoods, and in our beautiful natural environment.
“Cultural activity is so much of why we love our towns and cities and it’s a big part of what attracts visitors and what keeps them coming back.
“Congratulations to all the winners and the whole hard-working sector.”
Winners in the designated national award categories will represent NSW at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards to be held in Darwin on 15 March 2024.
2023 NSW Tourism Award Gold winners included:
Major Tourist Attractions: Australian Reptile Park, Somersby
Major Festivals and Events: Tamworth Country Music Festival
Caravan & Holiday Parks: Tiona, Forster
Ecotourism: Sydney By Kayak, Lavender Bay
Business Event Venues: Crowne Plaza Terrigal Pacific
Adventure Tourism: Balloon Aloft Australia, Hunter Valley, Camden Valley, Mudgee and Byron Bay
Excellence in Accessible Tourism: Cocky Guides, Sydney
STATE’S LEADING BUSINESSES CELEBRATED
The state’s most innovative and dynamic businesses were celebrated at the Business NSW Awards on Thursday, during a black-tie event at Sydney’s White Bay Cruise Terminal.
The winners included Contained In Nimbin Accommodation, which received the Outstanding Start-up award, following its New Tourism Business Gold medal at the 2023 NSW Tourism Awards. Additionally, Black Gold Motel at Wallerawang received the Excellence in Large Business award.
Business NSW CEO Daniel Hunter said: “The NSW Business Awards have shown that technology and innovation is at the heart of businesses across the state – from start-ups right through to huge corporates.
"We want NSW to be the innovation and start-up state. This will naturally happen in the cities, however we need to foster and grow this right throughout the state."
CHINA RECOVERY FUELLED BY TWO NEW ROUTES
Sydney Airport is forecasting seat capacity to mainland China to be 97 per cent recovered in December compared to pre-pandemic December 2019.
By the end of November, there will be nine airlines with direct flights from 14 Chinese cities, offering 85 weekly return services.
China Eastern Airlines is the latest carrier to boost capacity, announcing an Australian-first route plus its first ever trans-Tasman flight to Sydney.
From November 28, the airline will be flying three return services per week on the Airbus A332 between Sydney and the city of Jinan in the Shandong province in Eastern China. This is the first time there has been a direct flight between an Australian city and Jinan.
China Eastern Airlines is also restarting flights to Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang province. This includes an Auckland to Sydney leg, which is the first time the airline has offered trans-Tasman flights.
With the new routes and additional flights, China Eastern Airlines is now servicing five mainland China cities with 27 return services a week from Sydney.
Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert said: “It’s hard to believe seat capacity to China will be close to fully recovered by Christmas, considering we started the year with just four return flights a week.”
“That’s a remarkable turnaround and will have a significant flow on effect to our tourism sector, not just in NSW, but across Australia."
China Eastern Airlines Oceania General Manager Jim Young said: “We are delighted to now offer direct flights between Sydney and five cities in China. We would also like to extend our thanks to the NSW Government and Sydney Airport for their ongoing support.”
Tourism Australia has also launched a second burst of its ‘Come and Say G’day’ campaign activity in China to remind and inspire Chinese travellers to visit Australia soon.
Before the pandemic, China was the largest and most valuable inbound traveller market for the NSW visitor economy.
There were 770,700 visitors in total to NSW from China in the year ending December 2019. These visitors stayed 22.2 million nights and spent an estimated $4.1 billion in NSW.
Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows China was the second leading source country for short-term visitor arrivals to NSW in August 2023, with 27,370 arrivals.
NEW VISAS TO GROW CHINESE MARKET
China and Australia have agreed to provide three- to five-year multi-entry visas for visitors during Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to China to mark the 50th anniversary of the first visit to China by an Australian Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam.
The agreement has been hailed by industry stakeholders as a ‘vital boost’ to Australia’s visitor economy.
Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) Australia CEO Margy Osmond said: “A new visa arrangement will make travel between our two countries much easier and encourage more Chinese tourists and students to visit Australia, helping support our local tourism industry.
“This is fantastic news, not just for local tourism operators, but for all of the other businesses, from retail to hospitality, who benefit from increased visitor numbers.”
Accommodation Australia CEO Michael Johnson said: “While we are still yet to have received the final details, the improved opportunity for both countries tourists and families visiting friends and relatives will be a win for driving accommodation demand and the visitor economy of Australia and China.”
TRANS-TASMAN ROUTE HEATS UP
With China Eastern Airlines adding its Auckland-Sydney flight, there will be more trans-Tasman flights to NSW just in time for the summer peak.
By the end of the month, six airlines will operate direct flights between Auckland and Sydney, one more than pre-COVID-19, with seat capacity 99 per cent recovered on pre-pandemic levels.
Airlines flying between Auckland and Sydney include Qantas, Jetstar, Air New Zealand, LATAM, AirAsia X and China Eastern Airlines.
Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert said: “We now have six airlines flying between Sydney and Auckland, which is more than we had pre-COVID-19. Not only is this good news for Aussies and Kiwis crossing the ditch, but it’ll also encourage tourists from further afar to come visit both of our great countries."
According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data, New Zealand was the leading source country for visitors to NSW in October 2023, with 29,490 trips.
SINGAPORE AIRLINES ADDS FIFTH DAILY SERVICE
Singapore Airlines has announced it will offer a permanent fifth daily service to Sydney Airport, starting on October 27, 2024.
The additional service will be available for the six-month Northern Hemisphere winter season, subject to regulatory approvals, and means Sydney Airport will become the largest port for in the airline’s network from Changi Airport, with more than 12,000 seats available for passengers each week.
Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President South West Pacific Louis Arul said: “We are pleased to be able to bring our Sydney flights back to our pre-COVID-19 frequency of five flights daily.
“Demand for travel to and from Sydney has bounced back strongly from the pandemic and the additional daily service will provide further room for growth as travellers enjoy more connecting options through Singapore Changi Airport.”
HAVE YOUR SAY ON LIVE MUSIC IN NSW
The NSW Government will conduct a survey of artists and professionals working in the music industry in a bid to build a picture of the challenges faced and what can be done to restore the live music scene to a position of strength in the state's cultural fabric.
The survey forms part of a wider research project that will combine economic analysis, venue mapping data and audience research to inform the NSW Government’s first-ever strategic policy for contemporary music and create a vision for a vibrant arts and cultural scene in NSW.
Minister for Music John Graham said: “The NSW Government is committed to reviving live music across NSW.
“The last decade of lockouts and lockdowns has led to a grassroots music venue crisis in this state. We know the live music sector is facing many challenges, and this research will help identify from firsthand experience of musicians and industry participants themselves what those challenges are.
“From artists and music workers to record labels, promoters, and managers, if you work in music, we want to hear from you. This consultative research will help us tune in to the policy priorities that will restore live music in NSW.”
“I encourage all music industry professionals to share their ideas and insights to help us put together an evidence-based strategy for the future.”
FUNDING FOR FIRST NATIONS TOURISM
The Federal Government is providing $6 million in grants to more than 100 First Nations visitor economy businesses and community organisations across the country. Grants of up to $50,000 were available for First Nations-owned operators and up to $100,000 for First Nations community organisations. NSW recipients included Brewarrina Aboriginal Corporation, which received funding to build an extension to its current museum services and improve hospitality services, including accommodation. Castlereagh Connect in Coonabarabran, which offers unique dining experiences and events on-Country, has received funding that will go towards a new vehicle with mobile catering facilities.
DESTINATION NSW HOSTS DREAMTIME FAMIL
Destination NSW partnered with Canberra Convention Bureau and Tourism Australia to showcase the Southern Highlands as a business events destination to a group of Indian incentive buyers and media prior to Dreamtime 2023. The incentive showcase by Business Events Australia is designed to increase awareness and interest in Australia as an outstanding business events destination and is being held for the first time since 2019, from 7-10 November 2023, in Adelaide. The group visited Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame, where they had the opportunity to play a game on the famous oval; they also enjoyed lunch at Berrima Vault House and took part in a visitor experience at Joadja Distillery.
GLOBAL ACCOLADE FOR ORANGE WINE
The 10th annual Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships (CSWWC) has named Orange winemaker Printhie's Swift 2011 Blanc de Blancs as Best in Class Australian Blanc de Blancs Brut Vintage for 2023. CSWWC is regarded as the world's most respected, comprehensive and rigorous sparkling wine competition. Australia received 11 Gold medals.
BIENNALE OF SYDNEY PROGRAM ANNOUNCED
The Biennale of Sydney has announced the initial programming for its 24th edition, titled Ten Thousand Suns, which is being presented free to the public from 9 March to 10 June 2024, proudly supported by Destination NSW. Artists will include Andrew Thomas Huang, Martin Wong, Frank Moore, Gordon Hookey and Tracey Moffatt.
REGISTER FOR 'SELL ONLINE' WORKSHOPS
Join Destination NSW for a half-day Sell Online workshop and find out how to increase bookings by using online booking software, creating effective ATDW-Online listings and working with online travel agents (OTAs) to grow visibility. Upcoming workshops include Wagga Wagga (register here), Mudgee (register here), Newcastle (register here) and Port Macquarie (register here).
INBOUND STRATEGY WORKSHOPS
Destination NSW will host an Inbound Strategy Workshop in Shoalhaven on 23 November 2023, designed to help businesses to develop and sell export-ready products to international visitors via inbound travel organisations. The workshop will suit businesses including accommodation, tours and activities and visitor attractions, including wineries, distilleries, breweries and farm gates.
CARAVAN INDUSTRY TO FOCUS ON ACCESSIBILITY
Caravan Industry Association of Australia has announced an industry partnership with Accessible Accommodation (The Accessible Group), focused on delivering accessible visitor experiences in Australia’s caravan and camping sector. Data from Tourism Research Australia shows that 20 per cent of visitors in a caravan park or commercial camping ground report a disability or long-term health condition of some kind. This equates to approximately 3.8 million trips annually. The Accessible Group Founder Kerry Williams said: “Our Accessible Qualified program sets the standard for accessible tourism, offering peace of mind to both guests and providers. Through our consulting service and inclusion training programs, we are aiming through this partnership to equip caravan holiday parks with the tools to offer a welcoming accessible guest experience."
AIRPORT FLYOVER NAMED AFTER TRAILBLAZER
Sydney Airport has named the new flyover into its domestic airport after aviation trailblazer Deborah Lawrie AM. Lawrie was the first woman in Australia to become a pilot for a commercial airline, after a ground-breaking legal battle. Despite being qualified, her applications to be a pilot were repeatedly rejected due to her gender. In 1979, she won Australia’s first successful High Court sex discrimination case for employment, a decision that paved the way for women to get equal rights in workplaces across the country. Lawrie made history on 22 January 1980 when she co-piloted an Ansett flight from Alice Springs to Darwin. The Deborah Lawrie Flyover has been named in recognition of her service to aviation and gender equality advocacy. The flyover is part of the NSW Government’s Sydney Gateway project to improve traffic flow and reduce travel times.
MARDI GRAS EVENT PROGRAM LAUNCHES
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and Festival will return from 16 February to 3 March 2024, with the theme 'Our Future'. The program will feature more than 100 events, including the return of the Bondi Beach Party, which was a popular event during Sydney WorldPride. The program will culminate with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade on 2 March 2024. Tickets go on sale at 10am on 17 November.
MOUNTAIN BIKING EXPERIENCE FOR EDEN
Gravity Eden Mountain Bike Park has opened, with more than 58km of mountain bike trails that enable visitors to ride from Nullica Forest to the shores of Twofold Bay. Gravity Eden is a collaboration between the Eden Mountain Bike Club, Eden Community Access Centre, and Forestry Corporation of NSW. It received assistance from the Federal and NSW Government's Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund Package (BLER).
ELEVATING GASTRONOMY TOURISM
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has launched the 4th Global Competition for Gastronomy Tourism Startups. Winners will receive mentoring by UNWTO and its partners, tailored support and investment opportunities. Learn more here. Destination NSW is also offering a new on-demand webinar to assist businesses in elevating their culinary offering to deliver world-class visitor experiences.
ENTER THE BANKSIA SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS
The National Banksia Sustainability Awards shine a spotlight on the achievements and accomplishments of individuals, organisations and communities across the nation. As the longest running and most prestigious sustainability awards in Australia, the 35th Banksia Awards will celebrate excellence in 14 categories, highlighting sustainability practices across the country. Entries close on 18 December 2023.
NSW SUSTAINABILITY FINALISTS ANNOUNCED
The Banksia Foundation has announced the finalists in the 2023 NSW Sustainability Awards, which are supported by the NSW Government. With a total of 35 finalists across 12 distinct categories, these awards celebrate innovation, commitment, and dedication to sustainability in NSW. The finalists in the NSW Sustainable Tourism Award category are Kestrel Nest EcoHut/Highfield Farm & Woodland, Kosciuszko Thredbo Pty Ltd, Take 3 for the Sea and Taronga Conservation Society Australia. The winners will be announced on 7 December 2023 at the Australian Maritime Museum.
NEW FOOD FOR WESTERN SYDNEY STADIUMS
Western Sydney-headquartered and family-owned business the Gema Group will bring new culinary experiences to Accor Stadium and CommBank Stadium. It will include popular restaurants and brands such as Al Aseel, Ribs & Burgers, The Meat and Wine Co., Five Guys, El Jannah, Sushi Hub, Roll’d, Oak Berry. For selected major events at Accor Stadium, Crown Sydney will bring to life a premium hospitality experience with Nobu, while a major Event Chef Series at Accor Stadium will see Miguel Maestre, Manu Feildel and Anna Polyviou provide bespoke menus for major event and non-match day packages.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
ACCOLADE FOR VIVID SYDNEY: A social campaign by The Works for Vivid Sydney 2023 has been shortlisted in the category 'Social Media Real-Time Response or Activation’ in the global The Drum Awards. Learn more
ATEC ANNUAL AWARDS: Congratulations to Sydney Opera House Head of Sales Sarah Duthie on being recognised for her Outstanding Contribution to the Australian Tourism Export Council at its annual industry awards. Learn more
NSW CHARTS NEW COURSE FOR VOLUNTEERING ACROSS THE STATE: The NSW Government is leading the way in supporting and recognising the contributions of the state’s 4.3 million volunteers with the launch today of a new Volunteer Charter. Learn more
GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY TOURISM SUMMIT: Ecotourism Australia will hold the inaugural 2024 Global Sustainable Tourism Summit from 4 -6 June 2024 at the Sustainable Tourism Certified Pullman Mercure Brisbane King George Square. Learn more
FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR SURF CLUB UPGRADES: NSW Surf Life Saving Clubs can apply for up to $5.25 million for new and improved facilities following the opening of the NSW Government’s Surf Club Facility Program. Learn more
MAJOR CHANGES TO SMALL BUSINESS PROCUREMENT: The NSW Government has increased the level at which its departments and agencies can purchase goods and services directly from small and medium businesses from $150,000 to $250,000. 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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