Insights - 2 June 2023
No images? Click here
VIVID SYDNEY CELEBRATES BIGGEST OPENING
WEEKEND ON RECORD
Vivid Sydney has enjoyed its biggest ever opening weekend, attracting more than 453,000 visitors to experience Australia’s largest event.
Festival goers from Sydney, as well as regional NSW, interstate and international markets, turned out for the festival’s first weekend to experience some of the more than 300 events and activations that make up the 2023 program.
The opening weekend attendance represents a 4 per cent increase from Vivid Sydney’s previous highest opening weekend in 2022.
The most visited festival offerings were the Vivid Sydney Light Walk, Lightscape, Dark Spectrum and Vivid Food.
Restaurants, cafes and bars benefited from more than 120,000 diners (up 5 per cent on opening weekend in 2022). Overall, 85 per cent of attendees purchased food and beverages during the festival’s opening weekend.
Vivid Sydney 2023 started with First Light, a moving Welcome to Country followed by a celebration of First Nations peoples and culture, featuring Yothu Yindi performing the iconic song "Treaty".
Then the lights of Vivid Sydney 2023 were turned on as fireworks and drones lit up the sky around Circular Quay and the sails of the Sydney Opera House were illuminated with the vibrant works of the late John Olsen AO OBE.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said: “It was great to see tens of thousands of families out enjoying the Vivid Light Walk and it was encouraging to see the city’s CBD so vibrant and businesses benefiting from the record turnout.
“This festival is about community, bringing Sydneysiders and visitors from around the state, the country and the world together to celebrate our creative industries, and experience something new from world-class activations and events to diverse food culture and hospitality."
More than 1000 drones took to the night sky on 28 May in the first of six scheduled drone shows titled “Written in the Stars”.
Tens of thousands of Sydneysiders and visitors watched images and animations from the largest drone show in the Southern Hemisphere.
“Written in the Stars” will be staged throughout the festival on Sunday and Wednesday nights, and on 12 June, from 9:10pm (subject to weather conditions). It is set to an accompanying audio track available on Cineway.
Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini said: “Vivid Sydney is the ultimate celebration of creative industries and our spectacular city. The program this year raises the bar and reimagines the types of activations that we offer – there are festival firsts, world premieres and never before activated spaces, as well as the brand-new pillar, Vivid Food.
“The programming is so diverse – there really is something for everyone. We are thrilled that so many have been part of our first festival weekend – the feedback and response has been incredible. There is still so much more to come!”
Internationally acclaimed multi-sensory experience Lightscape has been dazzling visitors to The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney during Vivid Sydney.
Originally created more than a decade ago, it has become an international sensation, selling out at sites all over the world.
Lightscape has been designed to enhance the appreciation of The Royal Botanic Garden and is running until 16 July 2023.
Attendees can also explore the free Vivid Sydney 8.5km light walk, which is even bigger and brighter this year, with hundreds of installations along the way.
The public response has been overwhelmingly positive, with an abundance of social media posts from the Vivid Light Walk and events including Lightscape and Dark Spectrum, as people share the magic of the invigorated Sydney CBD.
Vivid Sydney runs nightly from 6pm until 17 June 2023. In 2022 the festival welcomed 2.58 million visitors and injected $119 million into the NSW economy.
Watch highlights from opening night here.
PARRAMATTA WAVES THE FLAG FOR
SAFE, VIBRANT NIGHTLIFE
Parramatta has joined London, Dublin, Stockholm and 90 other international locations in being recognised as a safe and enjoyable precinct to enjoy a night out with friends and family.
It is the second NSW location to gain Purple Flag accreditation, following the YCK (York, Clarence and Kent Streets) precinct in Sydney’s CBD.
To achieve Purple Flag accreditation, areas need to meet a set of criteria, including access to public transport, adequate street lighting and great food and beverage offerings.
Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said: “It’s great to see the first Purple Flag being awarded in Western Sydney, and Parramatta’s lively restaurant, bar and arts and culture scene is a deserving recipient."
The accredited area covers more than 80 food and beverage venues along and around Church Street, plus CommBank Stadium, Riverside Theatre, retail and dining at Westfield Parramatta, a cinema, public spaces, hotels, gyms and fitness studios - with safe access to public transport (train, light rail, buses), a taxi rank and 24-hour car parks.
NSW 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues said Parramatta’s Purple Flag was a reflection of the City of Parramatta’s and local industry’s extensive efforts to develop a robust night-time economy.
“Parramatta is leading the way in Sydney with its strategic focus on elevating its 24-hour economy,” said Mr Rodrigues.
“I congratulate all involved in achieving this Purple Flag, which makes it known far and wide that Parramatta is a hugely appealing destination for locals, residents all across Sydney and visitors.”
The pilot phase of Purple Flag in NSW, which is being run by the NSW Government, will expand later this year in Lakemba and Marrickville.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE
NSW TOP TOURISM TOWNS FOR 2023
Huskisson, Berry and Newcastle have been crowned the NSW Top Tourism Towns for 2023.
The announcement was made during the Local Government NSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference, which was held in Manly, Sydney from 29-31 May 2023 and proudly supported by Destination NSW.
NSW Tourism Industry Council Executive Director Paula Martin said: “With their picturesque landscapes, rich historical significance, abundance of activities, and warm welcoming community spirit, Huskisson, Berry and Newcastle have become shining beacons in regional NSW's tourism landscape.
“These towns represent the epitome of what visitors seek - an immersive and revitalising experience that will leave a lasting impression, showcasing the very best that NSW has to offer. These vibrant towns set our state apart from other visitor destinations.”
Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said: "Regional NSW contributes approximately a third of the total economic benefit generated by the state’s visitor economy, and these towns have set a benchmark that will ensure we achieve our goal of becoming the premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacific."
For the first time, a Hall of Fame award was presented to Mudgee in recognition of its outstanding achievement in being crowned winner in the Top Tourism Town category at the NSW Top Tourism Awards in 2021 and 2022 and receiving the Australian Top Town Tourism Award in 2021 and 2022.
Managed by the NSW Tourism Industry Council, the NSW Top Tourism Town awards celebrate towns across three population categories: under 1500, between 1500 and 5000, and over 5000 residents.
Each participating town submitted a short video, itinerary and editorial, which were evaluated by a judging committee comprised of 10 industry experts. The public was then invited to cast their votes, with a record-breaking response of more than 18,000 individuals voicing their opinions to determine the ultimate Top Tourism Towns.
City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said winning the Top Tourism Town award was recognition of the city's collaboration with industry, government and operators to boost the local visitor economy.
She noted that partnering with Venues NSW to secure Newcastle as the first stop on Sir Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour and a slot on Pink's upcoming world tour had cemented the city’s status as a premier tourism and major events destination.
“Attracting headline acts of this calibre is a testament to Newcastle's growth as a world-class events and cultural city and indicative of a thriving local economy," Ms Nelmes said.
Ms Nelmes said a key action in Newcastle’s Destination Management Plan had been to work with the business sector to increase the number of bookable visitor experiences on offer.
“By continuing to leverage our city's unique offering in a way that appeals to visitors from outside the region and abroad, Newcastle’s future as an international tourism and major events destination is bright," she said.
City of Newcastle Destination Marketing Officer Laura McGrath was presented with the award by NSW Tourism Industry Council Executive Director Paula Martin and Business NSW Chief Executive Officer Daniel Hunter.
Shoalhaven City Council is celebrating winning four trophies at the NSW Top Tourism Town awards.
“We were incredibly excited to have five Shoalhaven towns listed among the 31 finalists in the NSW Top Town Awards and to bring home the gold for both Berry and Huskisson, silver for Ulladulla, and bronze for Kangaroo Valley and is incredible,” said Mayor Amanda Findley.
“We love all our towns equally and as the off-season in Shoalhaven approaches, would love to see locals and visitors support their own favourite towns and enjoy the beautiful nature, walks, whales, foods, wine and more.”
Huskisson, Berry and Newcastle will represent NSW at the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards, scheduled to be held later this year.
WEEKEND VISITOR RECOVERY FOR SYDNEY
New data from the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) shows weekend visitation to Sydney returned to 100 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in April 2023. TTF CEO Margy Osmond said: “This data shows how important it is to keep investing in our arts, entertainment and hospitality industries, as well as supporting major events. These sectors play a pivotal role in revitalising our cities and contributing to their overall recovery.” The number of people visiting Sydney on weekdays during April 2023 reached 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
CHANGES TO WORKING HOLIDAY PROGRAM
The Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement has entered into force, commencing new arrangements under Australia’s Working Holiday Maker program. From 1 July 2023, UK passport holders will be able to apply for a Working Holiday visa between the ages of 18 and 35 years inclusive. This is a five-year increase from the current maximum age of 30 years inclusive. From 1 July 2024, UK passport holders will be eligible to be granted Working Holiday visas up to a total of three years without having to meet any specified work requirements.
UK FREE TRADE DEAL TO BOOST HOTELS
Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) has welcomed the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement and updates to the Working Holiday Maker program. TAA CEO Michael Johnson said: “Australia’s hotels have enjoyed a long history of employing UK backpackers in all parts of the country, including regional and remote areas where employees are difficult to source. This agreement will see more backpackers travelling down under and making these important contributions, which is fantastic news for hotels and hospitality venues.”
QANTAS TO SET UP CLIMATE FUND
The Qantas Group has announced it will establish a $400 million climate fund to provide direct investments in sustainability projects and technologies, as the airline works towards its emissions reduction targets. The Qantas Climate Fund will be the largest aviation fund of its kind in the world. It includes the partnership established last year between Qantas and Airbus to accelerate a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry in Australia and projects such as high-integrity carbon offsets, offshore SAF investments and operational efficiencies.
SEARCH FOR BEST CLUB MEAL IN NSW
Celebrity chefs Matt Moran and Courtney Roulston will embark on a road trip across NSW in search of the best club meal as ambassadors for the 2023 Your Local Club Perfect Plate Awards. Dishes range from the Sydney Rowing Club's Moreton Bay bug rigatoni gratin to the Broken Hill Sturt Club's masala-style lamb shanks. Between 30 May and 9 July, the public is encouraged to visit participating NSW clubs and give dishes a score out of five by scanning each eatery's unique QR code or filling out a paper form.
TOP 10 BUSINESS EVENT DESTINATIONS
Sydney has taken second spot behind Singapore on event management software Cvent's list of Top Meeting Destinations in the Asia Pacific. Hyatt Regency Sydney was also the only hotel outside of Singapore on the Top Meeting Hotels list. “This recognition is a testament to the power of technology and partnerships in the hospitality industry and we look forward to continuing to deliver exceptional experiences for our guests,” said Hyatt Regency Sydney Director of Sales - MICE, Rachela Virgara.
SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE UNITY CELEBRATION
FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ will give Sydneysiders and visitors the rare opportunity to walk across Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Unity Beat on Sunday, 25 June 2023. The event will celebrate 25 days to go until the official kick-off of the tournament. Sydney is set to come alive during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 tournament, hosting 11 matches across two venues, secured by Destination NSW. The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ will run from 20 July to 20 August 2023.
NSW SWEEPS MUSEUM AWARDS
NSW has triumphed at the Australian Museum and Gallery Association Awards (AMaGA). Maitland Regional Art Gallery took home the most awards of the night - nine wins and highly commended titles. Powerhouse Museum won three awards, as did Australian Museum (including one for its Pride Shark), while Tweed Regional Museum and Bathurst Regional Council also collected trophies. The winners were announced during the AMaGA 2023 National Conference, which was held in Newcastle in May.
NEWCASTLE HOSPITALITY & TOURISM AWARDS
Newcastle Tourism Industry Group has hosted its inaugural Newcastle Tourism & Hospitality Awards, celebrating outstanding customer service. Industry Support Partner of the Year went to Hunter Valley Events; Employer of the Year went to Reflections Holiday Parks; and Employee of the Year was Alexander Crelley at Hunt Hospitality.
ABORIGINAL FISHING TRUST FUND
Applications are open for a new round of the Aboriginal Fishing Trust Fund (AFTF), with a total of $500,000 on offer. The AFTF assists Aboriginal commercial fisheries, aquaculture and aquatic tourism-related businesses, as well as research and education that promotes and protects cultural fishing in NSW. The funding round closes on 25 August 2023.
SYDNEY AIRPORT AWARDS SYD100 SCHOLARSHIP
Sydney Airport has announced Timothy Walker is the 2023 recipient of the Trevor Gerber SYD100 Scholarship. The proud Indigenous man from the Dharug people of the Hawkesbury region is a first-year Bachelor of Aviation Management student at the University of New South Wales. Launched in 2020 in honour of the airport’s centenary, SYD100 is awarding one full scholarship every year for a century to support under-represented groups in the aviation industry, including people with diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, women and Indigenous students.
NSW LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONFERENCE
Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox was a keynote speaker at the Local Government NSW Destination & Visitor Economy Conference from 27-31 May 2023. He updated delegates on how Destination NSW is engaging with local councils across the state to drive visitor economy growth. Destination NSW was also a proud sponsor of the conference, which was held at the Manly Pacific Hotel. Wagga Wagga City Council, Coolamon Shire Council and Junee Shire Council will host the 2024 Local Government NSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference from 28-30 May 2024.
NSW GOVERNMENT'S UBER AGREEMENT
The NSW Government has reached an undertaking with Uber to be part of the official Transport Management Centre incident response process. In an Australian first agreement, this will help move people when an unplanned public transport disruption occurs and will limit surge pricing for passengers in affected areas. Uber and Transport NSW will also partner to put proactive measures in place to ensure faster and more efficient communications with drivers during disruptions.
NSW GRANTS AND FUNDING FINDER
Business owners across the state can now enjoy the same convenience as individuals when trying to navigate the range of financial help available from the NSW Government, with more than 500 grant and funding offerings accessible from one easy-to-use webpage. The NSW Grants and Funding Finder is a one-stop shop for people to locate the financial support they need, when they need it, by bringing together savings, rebates and budget relief from 46 separate government websites into one place.
ALTERNATIVES TO INCREASE PORT CAPACITY
The NSW Government has ruled out the construction of a cruise ship terminal in Yarra Bay. It follows the NSW Port Authority conducting a business case for the proposal, which found there were objections in the local community. The Port Authority is examining alternative ways to increase terminal capacity for cruise ships in Sydney and will report back to the NSW Government on other viable options.
REPAIRS FOR LISMORE ATTRACTIONS
Visitors and locals will find it easier and safer to visit and enjoy two iconic reserves in the Lismore region with the NSW Government to invest $100,000 in repairs and upgrades to Hanging Rock Falls and Bean Creek Falls. At Bean Creek Falls, $50,000 will be invested to repair the lookout and restore the adjacent walkway and carpark. At Hanging Rock Falls, $50,000 will be invested in repair work on the track to the popular spot.
CENTRAL COAST VISITOR CENTRE REOPENS
The renewed Visitor Information Centre at The Entrance has reopened to the public. The new centre will educate and inform visitors and residents about the diverse range of experiences on offer across the Central Coast. The upgrade has transformed the centre into a multipurpose facility with improved toilets and accessibility to help to drive visitor expenditure in the region. The Visitor Information Centre will be open to the public seven days a week from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
MARDI GRAS CEO STEPS DOWN
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO Albert Kruger has announced he is stepping down. During his three-year tenure Mr Kruger has seen four festivals come to life, including the delivery of Sydney Mardi Gras events as part of Sydney WorldPride. “Over the last four seasons it’s been an honour to stand by our communities through the pandemic and put Sydney on a global stage through WorldPride," he said. The organisation will undertake a global search to find a suitable successor.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
KOALA HABITAT NEAR PORT MACQUARIE PROTECTED: Bushland containing koala-preferred habitat near Port Macquarie, will be protected forever following its purchase by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Learn more
LONG-RANGE DRONES FLY FURTHER TO SAVE LIVES: Specialised long-range drones designed to improve responses to emergency situations, natural disasters and enhance safety both off the coast and along NSW beaches, will be trialled by Surf Life Saving NSW on the far north coast next month. Learn more
NEPAL AIRLINES TO FLY TO SYDNEY: The airline has announced it will commence twice weekly flights from Kathmandu via Singapore to Sydney from 21 June 2023, subject to Australian Civil Aviation approval. Read more
EXPANDED TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR NSW SKILLS PROVIDERS: The NSW government will invest $710 million to allow 556 approved providers to deliver subsidised training in priority qualifications that address the skills needs in the state. 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
DID YOU ENJOY THIS NEWSLETTER? Forward it to colleagues and friends so they can subscribe too. Was this issue forwarded to you? Click here to sign up
