TOP FOUR DESTINATIONS FOR
DOMESTIC TRAVELLERS TO NSW Destination NSW has released new fact sheets on domestic visitation to NSW, providing valuable insights for visitor economy businesses. "Destination NSW prepares regular reports, fact sheets and statistical tables based on Tourism Research Australia’s National and International Visitor Survey results," said Destination NSW Director, Performance Assessment and Strategy Peter Doran. "These provide useful snapshots designed to give a quick comparison on how the NSW visitor profile is evolving. The fact sheets focus on NSW-specific data to ensure the industry is equipped with information to strengthen marketing and business decisions." The new fact sheets reveal NSW was number one in Australia for both domestic overnight visitor numbers and nights in the year ending March 2022. NSW was also number one in Australia for both visitors and expenditure for domestic daytrip travel. Overall, domestic overnight travel spending in NSW was up 14.6 per cent to $16.7 billion for the year ending March 2022. There were 24.4 million domestic overnight visitors to NSW, who spent 85.7 million nights in the state. The top four destinations for domestic overnight travel in NSW were: Sydney (25 per cent of visitors), North Coast (17 per cent), South Coast (14 per cent) and the Hunter (12 per cent). The top four destinations
for domestic day trip travellers were Sydney (34 per cent of travellers), the Hunter (12 per cent), North Coast (12 per cent) and South Coast (10 per cent). In total, there were 66.4 million domestic visitors to NSW, who stayed 85.7 million nights and spent $27.1 billion (up 9.9 per cent). Domestic visitors attending events in NSW were another key contributor to the visitor economy in the year ended March 2022. Domestic leisure event visitors stayed approximately 2.4 million nights in NSW, of which 20 per cent were spent in Sydney and the rest in regional NSW. These visitors spent an estimated $699 million in NSW for the year. NSW also accounted for 39 per cent of the domestic aviation seat capacity in Australia's top 64 competitive routes or
13.2 million seats in the year ending March 2022 (up 135.2 per cent on the year ending March 2021). NSW remains number one in Australia for total volume of international and domestic overnight and day trip visitors, nights and expenditure. Sydney is number one among all Australian capital cities for total visitors (23 per cent), nights (29 per cent) and expenditure (25 per cent).
WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT TOURISM ACCOMMODATION AUSTRALIA NSW AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE For the first time since 2019, the state’s accommodation sector came together this week at the 2022 Tourism Accommodation Australia NSW Awards for Excellence. It also marked the first time Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) and the Accommodation Association joined together at an official awards ceremony, as the industry bodies move closer to their merger into Accommodation Australia. The hospitality and tourism awards honoured the achievement of excellence in a wide range of categories,
ranging from accommodation to restaurants and bars and the people who work in them. TAA NSW Chair Richard Doyle said: “We are an industry built on relationships and we will never again take for granted the experience of being able to gather in a room together with friends and colleagues and break bread.” Many of the state’s best-known hotels took out awards at the event, including: REDEVELOPED/REFURBISHED HOTEL OF THE YEAR: Crystalbrook Byron APARTMENT/SUITE HOTEL OF THE YEAR: SKYE Suites Sydney MID-RANGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR: Rydges Newcastle METROPOLITAN
SUPERIOR HOTEL OF THE YEAR: The Star Sydney REGIONAL SUPERIOR HOTEL OF THE YEAR: Spicers Sangoma Retreat DELUXE HOTEL OF THE YEAR: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Destination NSW has been a proud supporter of the awards for more than five years and was a Gold Partner of this year’s event. It also presented two awards: Hotel Executive of the Year, won by Shaun O’Bryan at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort & Elysia Wellness Retreat; and Health Club & Spa Facilities of the Year, won by Crown Spa Sydney at Crown Towers Sydney. Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox said: "The outstanding contributions of the finalists and winners at the 2022 Tourism
Accommodation Australia NSW Awards for Excellence play a vital role in the NSW visitor economy, ensuring the visitor economy remains one of the state’s most vibrant industries."
BLUE MOUNTAINS TO HOST VISITOR ECONOMY SUSTAINABILITY FORUMSustainable visitor destinations play a key role in the NSW Government's Visitor Economy Strategy and achieving its target of $65 billion in total visitor expenditure by 2030, with $25 billion in regional expenditure. Blue Mountains Tourism (BMT) is hosting a free industry forum next week with a focus on helping visitor economy businesses create a sustainable future for the region. Destination NSW's Blue Mountains Visitor Profile fact sheet for the year ending March 2022 shows domestic overnight visitors to the
Blue Mountains stayed an average of 2.5 million nights (+15.5 per cent YoY) and spent $168 per night. Meanwhile, domestic day travel expenditure was $168.8 million (+24 per cent YoY). Visitors' top five activities during visits to the region highlight the importance of sustainable tourism to the region: eating out/dining at a restaurant and/or cafe (51 per cent); bushwalking/rainforest walks (46 per cent); visit national parks/state parks (31 per cent); visit friends and relatives (28 per cent); and sightseeing/looking around (24 per cent). The BMT forum has been made possible through $2.6 million in Bushfire Local Economic Recovery (BLER) funding received by the organisation last year. Blue Mountains Council waste and sustainability program leader Rob Morrison will outline council programs and Take 3 for the Sea the Ground Swell Project Manager Juliette Myers will talk about how local businesses can tap into the initiative, while BMT President Jason Cronshaw, who owns Fantastic Aussie Tours including the Blue Mountains Explorer Bus, will talk about the carbon offset program his business implemented to reduce its bus fleet emissions to zero. Managing Director of Scenic World and Vice President of BMT Anthea Hammon said: "Scenic World sits right on the edge
of the unique and very special Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, so sustainability is at the core of our business. I would love for the whole Blue Mountains tourism industry to be net carbon zero by 2030. "BMT wants to help businesses on their sustainability journey, to minimise the impacts of climate change on our unique World Heritage listed region and beyond. Every business in the region has a part to play, so this free event is about sharing knowledge and making connections with other like-minded businesses." The free Blue Mountains industry forum will be held at Hotel Mountain Heritage in Katoomba on 26 July 2022.
TRADE MISSION TO REBOOT NSW VISITOR ECONOMYPremier Dominic Perrottet is leading a trade mission to Japan, India and Korea from 21-29 July 2022 to firm up new agreements, reboot the NSW visitor economy and international education sectors, and drive investment in priority growth sectors like clean energy production, where NSW aspires to be a global leader. “The pandemic has slowed global trade relations, but NSW is open for business and we have pressing trade and investment opportunities with key regional partners,” Mr Perrottet said. Mr Perrottet is hosting a visitor economy
roundtable with key airline, travel trade and online travel partners in Tokyo. The roundtable will focus on reinforcing the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment to the Japan market including opportunities through the $60 million Aviation Attraction Fund and promoting travel to Sydney and regional NSW in the Japan market. Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres and Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox will join Mr Perrottet for the Indian leg of the visit. Mr Ayres will lead a new annual trade delegation of government officials and industry representatives to bring NSW businesses to India to promote NSW exports and grow business partnerships. “NSW
has a strong economic and cultural relationship with India. We are home to the largest Indian population in Australia, India is our third-largest source of international students and is our fastest growing tourism market with Indian visitors spending an estimated $444 million in 2019,” Mr Ayres said. “With the signing of an historic new trade agreement earlier this year, a new direct airline service between Sydney and Southern India, the return of international students and increased investment, NSW is poised to make the most of the immense opportunities between our two nations.” Pictured: Mr Perrottet met with the Governor of Tokyo Her Excellency Yuriko Koike following his address at a NSW Government reception in Japan.
TASTE OF SEAFOOD FESTIVALS FOR NSWSeafood lovers will have the chance to hook some of the state's world-class seafood at a series of free events thanks to the NSW Government's Eat More NSW Seafood Grants Program. The Taste of Seafood Festivals will be run by the Professional Fishers Association and will kick off with events in Sydney, Bermagui, Dubbo and Ballina later this year, with more locations to follow in the first half of 2023. The events will feature fresh, sustainably caught seafood, mobile food vendors, market stalls, music, competitions and games.
MADAGASCAR THE MUSICAL Madagascar – The Musical will bring to life the classic DreamWorks animated movie at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre in Rooty Hill from 16–31 December 2022. Destination NSW has secured the Australian premiere of the international touring production, which has already performed to sold-out audiences across the UK and New Zealand. Minister for Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: "Madagascar – The Musical will be a major drawcard for the city providing a significant boost for the Western Sydney visitor economy."
FIFA UNVEILS UNITY PITCH FOR WORLD CUP FIFA has unveiled a Unity Pitch at Sydney's Barangaroo to mark one year until the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 kicks off. The event will see the world's best players compete for the greatest prize in women’s football from 20 July to 20 August in 2023. It will be the first time the event has been held in the Asia Pacific, with Destination NSW securing more matches for Sydney than any other host city. More than 16,000 visitors are expected during the competition, which is part of the NSW Government’s 10 World Cups in 10 Years initiative.
AUSTRALIA'S BEST SPOT FOR STARGAZING Sydney's Royal National Park has been named by Next Vacay as the top Instagrammable destination to sleep under the stars in Australia, based on factors including Instagram hashtags, air pollution levels and overall star visibility. Founder of Next Vacay Naveen Dittakavi said: “National parks usually have ideal conditions for stargazing, like dry and clean air and a seemingly never-ending skyline that’s hardly ever
obstructed.” Other top-rated spots in NSW were Blue Mountains National Park, Kosciuszko National Park and Dorrigo National Park.
WANDERER FESTIVAL CONFIRMS VENUE Pambula Beach has been confirmed as the venue for Wanderer Festival 2022. The celebration of music and arts will take place from 23-25 September 2022. Wolfmother will also join the festival line-up. Founder Simon Daly said: “We’re thrilled that the Bega Valley Shire Council has given us access to the Pambula Beach community fields. The reserve has a beautiful National Parks backdrop and amphitheatre." Wanderer Festival is proudly supported by Destination NSW.
VISIT MUOGAMARRA NATURE RESERVE The Muogamarra Nature Reserve, a hidden wildflower paradise of rare and beautiful native flowers located just north of Sydney, will open its gates to the public for six weeks only from 13 August to 18 September 2022. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service is encouraging nature-lovers to book a tour of the popular reserve to ensure they don’t miss out on this unique opportunity. It is only possible to visit the reserve by booking a guided
or self-guided tour in advance.
MOAMA LIGHTS RETURNS TO RIVER COUNTRY The award-winning Moama Lights event will make a dazzling return from 31 July to 21 August 2022. Curated by internationally renowned entertainment design firm Mandylights, the Moama Lights showcases local stories of Echuca Moama through cutting-edge light installations and projection technology. Highlights include an extended trail and stunning new installations and projections.
8 WEEKS TO GO UNTIL 2022 UCI CHAMPIONSHIPS Wollongong will welcome the world's best athletes for the 2022 UCI Road World Championships from 18-25 September 2022. Proudly supported by Destination NSW through the 10 World Cups in 10 Years initiative, the event is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of spectators, tens of thousands of visitors and millions in visitor expenditure to the Illawarra region.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS SELLER APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR AUSTRALIA MARKETPLACE UK & EUROPE 2022: Tourism Australia has opened seller applications for the event, which will be held in London from 14 -15 November 2022. Learn more HUNTER
VALLEY EVENT FUNDING: Cessnock City Council has developed a new Visitor Economy Grants and Sponsorship Program designed to boost mid-week event business. Grants range from $5000-$25,000. Click here to apply. Learn more THREDBO ENVIRONMENT WEEK: Held from 25-31 July 2022, Thredbo Enviroment Week is dedicated to driving awareness with visitors, the community and beyond about
environmental initiatives in the region. Learn more
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