Insights - 21 April 2023
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NSW CELEBRATES CRUISING MILESTONE
The NSW visitor economy is celebrating the one-year anniversary of cruise ships returning to NSW waters following a two-year absence due to the pandemic.
The first ship sailed into Sydney Harbour on 18 April 2022. P&O's Pacific Explorer was saluted by three water cannon tugs as it arrived at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
CLIA Australasia & Asia Managing Director Joel Katz said: "Seeing the first cruise ships return back to our harbours after a two-year absence was an incredibly emotional moment for so many people – not just for cruise fans, but also for the thousands of Australians whose jobs rely on cruise tourism.
"It has also been fantastic to see ships returning to regional ports and remote communities, bringing back much-needed economic opportunities outside the major cities.
“Cruising is in a renaissance worldwide and by the end of this year we expect global passenger numbers to have returned to pre-pandemic levels, and we’ll see first-time visitors to Australia like Disney Cruises, Virgin Voyages and Scenic."
Close to one million cruise passengers are expected to pass through Port Authority’s Sydney Cruise Terminals in the 2022-23 financial year, with more than 40 different vessels from 25 different cruise lines making more than 300 calls in NSW.
"By next summer we expect to see around 60 ships – the same level of activity we saw prior to the pandemic," Mr Katz said.
General Manager of Clean Cruising Dan Russell told Escape capacity is forecast to be up around 15 per cent for next season.
Destination NSW is inviting the world to discover the rich diversity of cruise port and shore excursion options along the NSW coast with an updated Cruise Sydney & New South Wales – Along the Blue Highway guide.
Developed in partnership between Destination NSW and Port Authority of NSW, the new edition of the guide includes new products and experiences in each of the state’s nine port destination as well as updated port parameters and infrastructure, making it an essential resource for the cruise sector.
View Cruise Sydney & New South Wales – Along the Blue Highway here.
Operators can earn more about creating cruise shore experiences with our Quick Tips guide.
INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER TRAFFIC TO NSW
SURPASSES 80 PER CENT RECOVERY MARK
A total of 3,166,000 passengers passed through Sydney Airport in March 2023, representing an 86.7 per cent recovery compared to pre-COVID-19 March 2019. This is the airport's strongest post-COVID-19 performance to date.
For the first time since the start of the pandemic international passenger traffic has surpassed the 80 per cent recovery mark, with 1,086,000 passengers passing through T1 International in March 2023. This represents an 82.3 per cent recovery on March 2019 passenger traffic.
Domestic passenger traffic was 89.2 per cent recovered compared to March 2019, with 2,080,000 travellers passing through the terminals.
Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert said: “With new airlines and routes coming online, momentum is starting to build, especially in our T1 International terminal.
“With China now open for business and the European and North American summer almost here, we anticipate our international traffic will continue to pick-up in the coming months.”
TOP 10 NATIONALITIES PASSING THROUGH
SYDNEY AIRPORT
US travellers were the largest cohort of international passengers passing through Sydney Airport in March 2023.
The recovery rate for UK visitors hit 87.4 per cent in March, its highest point since the international border reopened in February last year.
There was a sharp rise in the number of Chinese nationals coming to Australia, with the March number representing a 39.6 per cent recovery compared to March 2019, this was up from a 24.7 per cent recovery rate in February 2023.
The top 10 nationalities were:
- Australian
- United States
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- China
- India
- South Korea
- Japan
- Canada
- Phillippines
Growing interest in Australia as a visitor destination has led United Airlines to announce its largest-ever South Pacific network expansion, which will include twice daily flights between San Francisco and Sydney starting 28 October 2023.
SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED FOR
2023 NATIONAL TRUST (NSW) HERITAGE AWARDS
The shortlist for the 29th annual National Trust Heritage Awards has been announced and features more than 40 rich and diverse heritage projects across NSW.
The National Trust Heritage Awards is an annual celebration of outstanding practice, awarding excellence in conservation of Aboriginal, built, natural or cultural heritage.
Among the entries shortlisted are bara Monument for the Eora (entered by City of Sydney), Bondi Pavilion Restoration and Conservation project (entered by Tonkin Zulaikha Greer Architects), Northern Rivers Rail Trail – Tweed section (entered by Tweed Shire Council) and Penrith Heritage Walk (entered by Penrith City Council).
‘’The diversity, scale and geographical representation was simply astounding this year and prompted rich and robust discussions between the judges,’’ said Matthew Devine, Chair of the National Trust Heritage Awards Jury.
CEO of the National Trust (NSW) Debbie Mills said: “The sheer quality and volume of entries submitted demonstrates the passion of heritage enthusiasts from all across the state, and we look forward to showcasing an incredible selection of these next month."
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 12 May 2023.
WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT M12 MILESTONE
A new toll-free motorway for easy connection to Western Sydney International Airport is on track to open in 2026. The $2 billion investment is being funded by the Federal and NSW Governments. NSW Minister for Roads John Graham said: “It’s exciting to see construction well underway. It will take more than a quarter of an hour off the journey if you were to use the existing road network."
WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT BUSINESS PARK PLANS
Designs for a new business park at Western Sydney International Airport have been revealed. The gateway to the new airport, built on land surrounding the facility, will include a 150-room hotel, 25,000 square metres of warehouses and offices, a gym and a cafe. The preliminary draft major development plan for the Business Precinct Stage One at Western Sydney International Airport is open for public comment until 13 July 2023.
SYDNEY MARATHON REGISTRATIONS OPEN
Registrations have opened for the Sydney Marathon, which returns on 17 September 2023 with a brand-new course. Renowned globally as a bucket list event, the route includes the opportunity to run across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Destination NSW is a proud supporter of Sydney Marathon, which last year achieved Platinum Label status, the first marathon in the Southern Hemisphere to receive this recognition.
NEW NAME FOR ACCOR STADIUM STAND
A stand at Accor Stadium is being named after a female sporting legend, with the NSW Government calling for nominations. Athletes can be nominated through the NSW Government’s Have Your Say page. Premier Chris Minns said: “It could be a vote for Louise Sauvage or Cathy Freeman and their amazing success at Sydney 2000 or the more modern stars whose excellence has driven elite women’s sport into the mainstream."
LITHGOW BUSINESS AND LIFESTYLE EXPO
Lithgow District Chamber of Commerce will hold a Business and Lifestyle Expo from 6-7 May 2023, with the aim of attracting new residents and businesses to the region. The expo is part of the Revive Regional Business in Lithgow project, funded by the Federal and NSW Governments' Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.
INDIAN POPULATION OVERTAKES CHINA
India has overtaken China as the most populated country in the world according to a MarketWatch projection based on the United Nations’ World Population Prospects report. It shows India’s population has 1,425,782,975, while China's has fallen to 1,425,748,032. India was the fourth largest source country for visitor arrivals to Australia in 2022.
FIRST TRAIN RUNS UNDER SYDNEY HARBOUR
The first metro train has made a test run under Sydney Harbour. Two new tunnels connect Chatswood and Sydenham, travelling under Sydney Harbour and through Sydney CBD. The testing program will continue until services commence in 2024. The milestone comes more than 91 years after the first train travelled over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
VIVID SYDNEY LOCAL BUSINESS PROGRAM
The 2023 Vivid Sydney Local Business Program is now live. More than 150 businesses in Sydney CBD will dress their shopfronts with Vivid Sydney assets and promote exclusive experiences, offers, packages, tours or menus online from 26 May to 17 June 2023. The festival of light, music, ideas and food is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW.
NIGHT-TIME ECONOMY FORUM
The Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner is hosting the NEON International Night-Time Economy Forum from 2-3 May 2023. The two-day forum will include discussions, workshops and keynote presentations, plus the opportunity for attendees to network with industry leaders. The line up of speakers will include the City of Paris Programme Manager for Nightlife and the Founding Director of the NYC Office of Nightlife, plus representatives from ARIA, Business NSW, City of Sydney, Heaps Gay, Luna Park, Music NSW, MaaS, Night Time Industries Association, Solotel, Uber, University of Sydney and more.
NEWCASTLE AIRPORT EXPANSION
Newcastle Airport's expansion plans have been boosted by a $240 million Commonwealth Bank investment. The funding will enhance domestic capacity and develop a new international terminal. Newcastle Airport is the second busiest airport in NSW, generating around $1.2 billion in economic activity a year and supporting around 5600 jobs. It currently services 12 domestic routes with six domestic airlines, catering for around 1.3 million passengers a year. The airport's expansion will facilitate new domestic and international routes and address capacity for forecast growth to around 2.3 million passengers a year by 2028.
PERMANENT HOME FOR QTOPIA
The NSW Government has announced a permanent home for Sydney’s LGBTQI museum, Qtopia – the former Darlinghurst police station. Premier Chris Minns said: "A year ago, Ian Roberts came to me with an idea - to create Australia's first pride museum. Now we're getting on and delivering it. Turning a page on the Old Darlinghurst Police Station's story, where LGBTQ+ 78ers were held and beaten. And writing into it a new chapter."
SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW STATS
Sydney Royal Easter Show was attended by 880,000 people over 12 days in 2023. There were 1.6 million showbags sold, 30 tonnes of potatoes turned into chips on a stick, 13,000 litres of milk collected from the working dairy, 6500 livestock exhibitors, 760 tonnes of wood chopped and 43,131 scones sold by the Country Women’s Association. The Sydney Royal Easter Show is proudly supported by Destination NSW.
SYDNEY RENEWABLES MASTERCLASSES
City of Sydney is running a series of free renewables masterclasses on options for purchasing GreenPower and what you need to know about power purchase agreements. The classes include: PPA Procurement face to face (3 May), PPA procurement online (17 May) and Group buying face to face (6 June). The classes are suitable for small to medium businesses buying between 500,000 kWh and 50 GWh of electricity per year.
FIRST NATIONS APPOINTMENT FOR MCA
The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA Australia) has announced the appointment of Keith Munro as MCA’s first Director, First Nations Art and Cultures. Keith Munro is a descendant of the Kamilaroi people of north-western NSW and south-western Queensland, Australia. Since joining the MCA in 2004, he has been a leader and advisor on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives.
SNOWIES ALPINE WALK - STAGE 3 OPENS
The third stage of the Snowies Alpine Walk, between Charlotte Pass and Perisher in Kosciuszko National Park, has opened. The new 13km track allows visitors to experience views of the Thredbo Valley, Bullocks Flat and the Main Range. The fourth and final stage is due for completion in summer 2023/24 and will see the entire multi-day walk launched. Stage 4 of the Snowies Alpine Walk will form part of the 55km multi-day walk experience. It will include 11.4km of new tracks.
DIGITAL SKILLS WEBINAR SERIES
Service NSW Business Connect is supporting City of Sydney’s 2023 Reboot series. The upcoming five-part series offers free webinars for small businesses to sharpen their digital content skills and grow customers. Learn from some of Australia's leading business experts on how to sell online, create engaging content and use the big platforms to accelerate growth. The line-up will include Merivale's Justin Hemmes. Register now for free lunchtime webinars throughout May. Join one or all sessions.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
CARAVAN CAMPING HOLIDAY SUPERSHOW: The flagship event for Caravan & Camping Industry Association NSW is being held until 23 April 2023 at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse. There are more than 260 exhibitors, hundreds of brands and thousands of products on display. Find out more at www.supershow.com.au
SYDNEY FESTIVAL REFLECTS ON 2023 SUCCESS: Sydney Festival attendance reached in excess of 420,000 in 2023 and Festival Director Olivia Ansell has accepted an invitation to extend her tenure through to 2025. Learn more
NEW CLIENT ENGAGEMENT MANAGER (CHINA) FOR BESYDNEY: Cecilia Chen has rejoined BeSydney as the organisation prepares its market re-entry strategy. 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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