NEW YEAR MESSAGE FROM THE DESTINATION NSW CEO

I am optimistic about the year ahead and hope you are too.

I am also inspired by the resilience and determination of all our stakeholders during these unsettling times and, despite the challenges, their unwavering passion and commitment to excellence on the road ahead. 2022 promises to be a dynamic year for the visitor economy in NSW and will require us all to work together.

The New Year kicked off with ELEVATE Sydney. ELEVATE Sydney was owned and managed by Destination NSW and featured five days of world-class entertainment in the fast lane. ELEVATE Sydney offered just a taste what is to come in the next 12 months as we strive to create and invest in new initiatives to support the visitor economy and our communities statewide.

Destination NSW has ambitious plans to work with industry to turbocharge the state’s road map to recovery in 2022 through support for product and industry development, as well as significant investments in strategic research, consumer marketing, major events and commercial partnerships. International marketing and support for business events are also high on the agenda.  

While the last two years have been exceptionally challenging, I know that by working together and maintaining a focus on our strategic priorities, we will continue to progress toward our vision for NSW to be the premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacific. 

As the lead agency, champion, and voice for the visitor economy within the NSW Government, Destination NSW is committed to supporting and advocating for industry. On behalf of the Destination NSW Board and team, I want to assure you that we are focused on working in partnership with you to overcome the challenges, create new opportunities, and ultimately, deliver economic and social benefits for the people of NSW.

I wish everyone a year ahead filled with peace, prosperity and good health, as we encourage the world to Feel New in 2022.

Steve Cox
CEO, Destination NSW

ELEVATE SYDNEY TAKES 2022
TO NEW HEIGHTS

ELEVATE Sydney transformed the Cahill Expressway into a spectacular world-class stage from 1-5 January.

Following a challenging two years, ELEVATE Sydney boosted the spirit of the Harbour City. It brought visitors to the CBD during a traditionally quiet time, reinvigorating cafes and restaurants, retail outlets and other attractions in the area.

The free, outdoor entertainment and cultural celebration brought together a diverse mix of Australian artists and genres. It featured a jam-packed program from children’s entertainment, sport themed variety shows, disco, youth, First Nations, pop and more.

Highlights of ELEVATE Sydney included:

ELEVATE SkyShow, featuring 500 choreographed drones over Sydney Cove as a natural amphitheatre, creating a mesmerising light show of elaborate patterns set to an original soundscape. A boomerang, a waratah and a series of animations told a powerful story of Sydney’s past, present and hopes for 2022
ELEVATE Encore with ARIA Award-winning Australian artists Peking Duk and Lime Cordiale
A contemporary Call to Country designed by Rhoda Roberts AO and performances by leading First Nations artists Electric Fields and Troy Cassar-Daley
Children’s entertainment, including The Wiggles, Bluey and Junkyard Beats
ELEVATE Discotheque with Marcia Hines, Leo Sayer and Courtney Act
ELEVATE Music featuring BVT, CXLOE, Hauskey, L-FRESH the LION and Ngaiire
Live conversations from sporting legends and athletes including Australia’s most successful Olympian Emma McKeon
Final night performances by Tones & I and Tim Minchin

Premier Dominic Perrottet said events like ELEVATE Sydney reminded the world why visitors travel from across the world to experience the NSW lifestyle.

“Nowhere else could you hold this kind of event, nowhere has our harbour, our setting or our weather - this is part of our ongoing vision for taking our city from good to great,” Mr Perrottet said.

Accolades have flowed for the festival, particularly the dazzling SkyShow. April Palmerlee, CEO at the American Chamber of Commerce in Australia said the drone performance was “even better than fireworks”, while NSW Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said there was a “magic in the alchemy of technology and
the arts”.

DRAMATIC ICE SHOW
DEBUTS ON SYDNEY HARBOUR

A colossal block of ice has been suspended above Sydney Harbour today to highlight the threat of global warming through a theatrical event called THAW.

The visually arresting work marks a dramatic return to Sydney Festival for globally renowned local company Legs On The Wall.

THAW features daring, solitary performers and a score by Alaskan composer Matthew Burtner. The 2.7 tonne, intricately sculpted block of ice has been hoisted 20 metres in the air to melt slowly beside Sydney Opera House.

The production addresses humankind’s impact on the planet through a performance that is part art installation, part slow-drip suspense thriller. It features a rotating group of three performers in protective clothing on the ice from 12-8.30pm for three days, starting 14 January 2022.

More details here. THAW is also available to view as a livestream here.

The NSW Government is a principal partner of the Sydney Festival through Destination NSW.

STANDING OVATION FOR
GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY

The cast of Girl from the North Country received a standing ovation at the show’s opening night on 8 January.

The Australian debut of the international hit musical has also been well-received by theatre critics. A reviewer for The Australian, Deborah Jones, said: “This is storytelling of the richest kind. It’s not narrative; it’s something deeper and more profoundly affecting.”

Girl From The North Country is being performed at the newly re-opened Theatre Royal Sydney until 13 March 2022. It is one of the most acclaimed productions of the 21st century and has taken the theatrical world by storm, selling out seasons in the West End, Toronto and Broadway since opening at The Old Vic in London.

The story centres on a community living on a knife-edge in a Minnesota guesthouse in 1934. It features an all-star cast, including multi-Gold Logie winner Lisa McCune, Zahra Newman, Terence Crawford, Helen Dallimore, Peter Carroll, Christina O’Neill, Peter Kowitz, Elijah Williams, Greg Stone, Grant Piro, Blake Erickson, Elizabeth Hay and James Smith.

Twenty Bob Dylan songs, including Hurricane, I Want You, Slow Train Coming, Lay Lady Lay and Like A Rolling Stone, are beautifully reimagined and woven through the story.

The premiere season of Girl From The North Country is one of the highlights of the 2022 Sydney Festival. The NSW Government is a principal partner of the festival through Destination NSW.

NSW Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said: “The NSW Government is committed to investing in world-class productions to deliver on our goal of becoming the premier visitor economy in the Asia Pacific. Bringing productions like Girl from the North Country to Sydney tells the world that we are open for business and welcoming visitors to enjoy our city’s vast cultural offerings and hospitality.”

For tickets visit northcountry.com.au

GREAT LAKES PRO KICKS OFF
NSW PRO SURF SERIES

The opening event of the Vissla NSW Pro Surf Series - the 2022 Carve Great Lakes Pro - will kick off at Boomerang Beach on 22 February.

It will be the first of four World Surf League Qualifying Series events that will run from February to May, with Port Stephens, Maroubra and Central Coast events to follow.

Surfing NSW CEO Luke Madden said: “The Great Lakes Pro is one of the most exciting events on the Surfing NSW calendar and we couldn’t think of a better place to kick off the professional surfing year in Australia.”

Minister for Tourism and Sport Stuart Ayres said the Great Lakes was a stunning location to launch the NSW Government’s recently announced three-year partnership with the NSW Pro Surf Series.

“The Carve Great Lakes Pro will showcase the region’s spectacular coastline to surfers from around the globe and confirm its reputation as one of Australia’s premier surfing destinations,” Mr Ayres said.

“The competition will also draw surfing enthusiasts, maintaining the momentum of recent school holiday activity to provide a further boost to the local visitor economy.”

All events will be webcast through worldsurfleague.com and the WSL App. All event news, images and highlight clips will be available at surfingnsw.com.au

PHOTO: Surfing NSW

SYDNEY’S WINNING SERVE
AT ATP CUP

Team Canada this week celebrated its win at the ATP Cup with a boat ride on the Parramatta River, holding the trophy aloft as the players cruised past Sydney Opera House.

Canada won its first-ever ATP Cup on Sunday, after Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Spanish player Roberto Bautista Agut. Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox presented the winner’s trophy to Team Canada at the Ken Rosewall Arena.

Minister for Tourism and Sport Stuart Ayres said the ATP Cup was an exciting way to kick off the summer of sport for 2022 and help reinvigorate the NSW visitor economy.

“Events like these are essential as we help the tourism and major events sectors recover from the pandemic, driving overnight visitation and showcasing Sydney and NSW to a global television audience across more than 180 countries,” Mr Ayres said.

The 16-team ATP Cup was played across two venues - Ken Rosewall Arena and Qudos Bank Arena at Sydney Olympic Park - from 1-9 January 2022.

Team Australia finished the ATP Cup in sensational style, fighting back from the brink of defeat to beat Team France and finish second in Group B.

The ATP Cup was secured under the NSW Government’s 10 World Cups in 10 Years initiative.

PHOTO: Peter Staples/ATP Tour.

SHOALHAVEN CITY COUNCIL LAUNCHES EVENT SUPPORT PROGRAM

Event organisers are invited to apply for up to $20,000 in funding from Shoalhaven City Council if they can prove their event will encourage visitors to experience the region during autumn, winter or spring.

Situated just two hours from Sydney and Canberra on the South Coast, Shoalhaven boasts a variety of venue options, ranging from parks to scenic showgrounds and sporting venues, as well as heritage halls, acclaimed restaurants, and state-of-the-art conference spaces.

Shoalhaven City Council Tourism Manager Coralie Bell said: “Through attracting events at times that are typically quieter, this program is designed to attract new visitors to the Shoalhaven and increase the supply of year-round local jobs, helping to prevent employers from laying off summer staff.

“Surrounded by mountains, national parks and magnificent white sand beaches, you are choosing a world-class destination when you choose the Shoalhaven."

Applications will be assessed based on their economic impact, ability to drive visitation, benefits they offer the local community and marketing reach.

Applications are open from 17 January to 16 February 2022. More information here or email events@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.

ARTS FUNDING BOOSTS TOURISM IN REGIONAL AUSTRALIA

More than $2.7 million in funding will be shared among 71 arts projects in regional Australia during round 13 of the Festivals Australia program.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said: “Through this targeted funding, including the additional $2.4 million provided through the Regional Arts Tourism Experiences package, we are providing access to a diverse range of high quality, innovative arts projects that will help boost tourism across Australia’s regions.

“We know that regional and remote artists, organisations and communities have been significantly affected by the pandemic, which is why this assistance is invaluable for the sector and is supporting a vibrant and sustainable future for festivals across Australia.”

Creative Economy Taskforce Chair Rachel Healy said: “Festivals and cultural events that will be funded in Round 13 range from celebrating First Nations culture through performances and exhibitions, to outdoor digital community arts events, street art, and a variety of capacity-building workshops.”

More information here.

TAMWORTH COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL LINE-UP ANNOUNCED

Toyota Country Music Festival has announced a stellar line-up for its 50th anniversary event, which has been rescheduled to 18-24 April 2022.

Shows scheduled for January are being refunded, with tickets for concerts across the new seven-day event going on sale at 9am on 17 January 2022.

Toyota Country Music Festival Manager Barry Harley said: “All the big names will return including ARIA Hall of Fame inductee Kasey Chambers, country music legends Troy Cassar-Daley and John Williamson, esteemed songwriter Graeme Connors, Felicity Urquhart and Josh Cunningham and fan favourite Fanny Lumsden.”

Organisers have also confirmed that the 2022 Toyota Golden Guitar Awards will be going ahead on 20 April 2020.

“We still have a lot to celebrate and the April instalment of our 50th anniversary event will deliver a similar Festival experience, complete with buskers, free concerts in the famous Toyota Park, the Golden Guitar Awards and some of the biggest names in Australian country music,” Mr Harley said.

More details here.

REGISTER POSITIVE COVID TEST RESULTS WITH SERVICE NSW

Anyone who tests positive using a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) is required to register their result with Service NSW.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said: “NSW residents can register their result with just a few clicks on the Service NSW website or by using the Service NSW app.

“Registering your RAT result enables NSW Health to provide you with advice on self-isolation and managing COVID-19 symptoms at home, to connect high risk people to clinical care services and to help inform the ongoing public health response.”

Customer Service and Digital Government Minister Victor Dominello said: “This technology has been built with trust and security at its core. Service NSW will send the information directly to NSW Health, it isn’t shared with any third parties, and is then deleted from Service NSW records within days.

“There are more than seven million Service NSW account holders, but we’re also committed to making this process inclusive for those without that access. Those who need assistance can contact Service NSW on 13 77 88.”

More information here.

SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE CELEBRATES CHINESE NEW YEAR

Mandarin-speaking guides will lead one-hour guided tours of Sydney Opera House during the Lunar New Year period.

From 29 January to 6 February visitors will have the opportunity to hear insider secrets and stories, shared by knowledgeable
Mandarin-speaking
tour guides.

The tours will include new, immersive digital experiences, with
270-degree visuals and surround sound.

The tours will be held on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm. On Saturdays, tours will be held at 9.30am, 11am and 1pm.

The Mandarin-speaking tours are priced at $43 for adults and $23 for children aged 5 to 15.

Click here for bookings.

NEW PIN RECOGNISES INDIGENOUS RFS VOLUNTEERS

The contribution made by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander volunteers to the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) has been highlighted by a new Indigenous pin.

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke said the symbolic pin highlighted the experience and knowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members bring to
the RFS.

“From all-Indigenous mitigation crews, to the unique artwork displayed on the Boggabilla and Wreck Bay Brigade trucks, this pin is another way we can celebrate and recognise our Indigenous volunteers,” Ms Cooke said.

RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers said: “Every day across the NSW RFS you will find us working side by side, sharing knowledge, experience and culture with Indigenous communities.”

JOIN THE NORTH COAST FESTIVAL OF FLAVOUR

Destination North Coast is calling on food, beverage and agri-tourism businesses to open their doors and offer events, unique experiences and special deals to attract visitors during the North Coast Festival of Flavour on 25-26 March 2022.

The event will be promoted on the new North Coast Flavour Trails online platform. Visitors will be able to search for events and experiences and plan their own unique itineraries for the festival weekend.

Destination North Coast, will launch a marketing campaign in early February to drive visitation to the festival, create awareness about the trails platform and generate more exposure for North Coast operators.

To become involved in the festival, register an event with a ‘Food & Wine’ classification and/or special deal associated with a ‘Food & Drink’ classification by the end of January.

More information here.