Insights - 29 July 2022
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE MISSION BOOSTS
NSW VISITOR ECONOMY
The NSW Government has concluded a trade mission to Singapore, Japan, Korea and India aimed at firming up new agreements, driving investment and boosting the NSW visitor economy and international education sectors.
Premier Dominic Perrottet visited India, Japan and Korea on his first international trade mission as the state’s leader. Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres and Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox met with business leaders in Singapore before joining Mr Perrottet in India.
Mr Ayres and Mr Cox met Senior Vice President Marketing Planning for Singapore Airlines Jo-Ann Tan in Singapore for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the aim of rebuilding visitation to Sydney and NSW.
The new agreement, which was sealed through the NSW Government’s $60 million Aviation Attraction Fund, will facilitate marketing activities across Singapore, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, UK, Germany and France to stimulate demand and drive visitation to NSW.
“I am delighted the NSW Government is partnering with Singapore’s national carrier to help restore visitation to pre-pandemic levels,” Mr Ayres said. “Singapore Airlines, with the support of the NSW Government, is currently operating four daily flights to Sydney, which is estimated to deliver over $231 million in visitor expenditure to NSW up until July 2023 and support more than 1200 jobs.
“In 2019, NSW welcomed more than 126,000 Singaporean visitors, who stayed more than one million nights and added $232 million to the NSW visitor economy. Singapore is also a high-traffic hub for passengers from around the globe travelling to NSW."
Destination NSW will collaborate with Singapore Airlines on initiatives including advertising, marketing campaigns and familiarisation programs to drive visitation to NSW.
The Aviation Attraction Fund forms part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan. It aims to build aviation capacity across NSW by supporting airlines to return to the state’s airports. Applications for the Aviation Attraction Fund are open until 30 June 2023 and are being managed by Destination NSW. Learn more.
INDIA TO BE AUSTRALIA'S LARGEST
VISITOR MARKET BY 2030
The NSW Government's trade mission to India has coincided with a prediction by Tourism Australia that the country will be Australia’s largest tourist market by 2030.
Tourism Australia Regional General Manager for Southeast Asia Brent Anderson said India was currently the second biggest source market for Australia after New Zealand. It is expected that around 400,000 Indian visitors will arrive on our shores by June next year.
The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows the three leading source countries for visitors to NSW in May 2022 were New Zealand (14,490 trips), India (9190) and the United States (9140).
Mr Anderson said the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup would drive visitation to Australia when it kicks off in October. Destination NSW has secured six Super 12 matches, including one double-header, plus the opening semi-final for Sydney.
The NSW Government has announced it will host a delegation of high-profile business leaders from India during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. It follows the Premier's visit to Mumbai this week, where he discussed priority investment sectors and formally invited the leaders to explore key investment opportunities in NSW firsthand.
The focus of the visit will be on industry precincts such as Tech Central, the Westmead Health & Innovation Precinct, Bradfield and the Western Sydney Parkland and regional NSW’s Special Activation Precincts.
Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “Cricket is one of the most popular sports in Australia and India and by tying the delegation visit in with our hosting of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup for the first time, we are able to leverage our shared love of the sport. We will be able to showcase the best our state has to offer in terms of innovative investment opportunities while enjoying a world-class sporting event right in the heart of Sydney.
"India is also our fastest growing tourism market, with Indian visitors spending an estimated $444 million in 2019. It was great to talk to tourist operators, airlines and travel agents around the challenges they face and how we can help drive more Indians to visit NSW."
The NSW Government also opened a dedicated trade and investment hub while in Mumbai, aimed at promoting NSW exports, boosting investment and welcoming Indian students and visitors back to the state.
FIVE NEW TRAILS CELEBRATE THE BEST OF
THE SOUTHERN TABLELANDS
Destination NSW has developed five new Southern Tablelands Trails in association with Destination Southern NSW, hosted on www.visitnsw.com. They feature expert local advice on what to see and do in destinations including Lake George, Bungendore, Goulburn, Tarago, Collector, Laggan, Marulan and Queanbeyan.
Visitors can explore lush national parks, cool climate wineries, paddock-to-plate produce, fascinating heritage towns and warm country hospitality along the trails, which celebrate the many charms of the Southern Tablelands region of NSW.
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said: “I encourage everyone to use this intuitive tool to map out an invigorating road trip with family and friends to explore this unique part of NSW.
“The five trails offer a diversity of experience, with an abundance of local produce, atmospheric country pubs, invigorating natural and cultural experiences and interesting local attractions on offer. For those who are more time poor, the trails run from a driving distance of 50km up to 210km, providing an option for everyone.”
Winemaker Ben Jarret from Contentious Character said: “The Tableland Trails are about putting the Southern Tablelands on the map as a standalone destination and a welcoming part of NSW to really explore as part of a multi-day getaway. Here at Contentious Character, we are ready with open arms to welcome guests to taste our boutique cool-climate wines and enjoy our menu full of fresh, local, seasonal produce.”
The trails have been created with support from the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund established by the NSW Government and the Commonwealth Government.
Tune in to Channel 9's Today Show on 3 August 2022, when weather presenter Lara Vella will broadcast live from Braidwood in the Queanbeyan-Palerang region, showcasing a selection of operators from the Destination NSW Southern Tablelands Trails.
NSW VISITOR ECONOMY BUSINESSES RECOGNISED ON 2022 BEST FOR THE WORLD LIST
Two NSW-based businesses that work in the visitor economy - The Farm Byron Bay and 4 Pines Brewing - have been recognised in B Lab Global's 2022 Best for the World list, which recognises Certified B Corporations (B Corps) with exceptional positive impact.
B Lab is a not-for-profit network with the mission to inspire and enable people to use business as a force for good. Companies are certified as B Corps based on their planet-friendly practices and environmental initiatives.
“Each Best for the World edition is an opportunity to raise the bar for how businesses can and should operate to create real and lasting positive impact for their workers, customers, communities and the environment,” said Dan Osusky, Head of Standards and Insights at B Lab Global.
The Farm is principally a working farm, housing a collection of micro-businesses that aim to show how a farm operates, supports the environment and contributes to a healthier lifestyle. 4 Pines Brewing opened its first microbrewery in Manly in 2006 and has grown to include more than 11 venues. It has a strong focus on being both sustainable and community-minded.
To see the other Australian-based businesses that made the list across the categories of community, customers, environment, governance and workers click here.
BLACKWATTLE BAY TRANSFORMATION
The transformation of Blackwattle Bay is a step closer, with a revised vision featuring a wider boardwalk, more open space and reduced building heights. Minister for Infrastructure Rob Stokes said the Blackwattle Bay and new Fish Markets development would turn the precinct into one of Sydney’s premier waterfront destinations. “This is an exciting plan to build more than 1200 homes, create more than 5600 jobs and deliver a world-class destination less than one kilometre from the Sydney CBD," Mr Stokes said.
EXTRA CHEERS FOR THE GREEN AND GOLD
The NSW Government has extended trading hours at pubs and clubs for upcoming major sports events, including the 2022 FIFA World Cup, ICC Men’s T20 World Cup cricket finals and the Commonwealth Games. Minister for Hospitality and Racing Kevin Anderson said: “The late night trading not only supports hospitality businesses and the economy, it also gives sports fans the chance to head to their local to watch these great sporting events and cheer on the green and gold."
SHARED E-SCOOTER TRIALS ROLL OUT
Four popular Western Sydney locations have been selected to welcome the first of several shared e-scooter trials to roll out across NSW. The trials are being conducted in Western Sydney Parklands’ Bungarribee Park, Lizard Log and Shale Hills, as well as The Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan. Minister for Active Transport Rob Stokes said: “Councils can now formally apply to hold a 12-month trial with selected e-scooter shared scheme providers in their area. The trial is restricted to shared scheme e-scooters, so we can guarantee the safety parameters of each device.”
$5 MILLION FOR ORANGE CONSERVATORIUM
The NSW Government is providing a $5 million funding boost to complete the upgrade of Orange Regional Conservatorium. Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said the new conservatorium would include a state-of-the-art auditorium, performance hall and studio space. “Once completed, this funding will effectively triple the available rehearsal space, provide a 50 per cent increase in studio space, and increased auditorium seats from 185 to 250,” Mr Franklin said. “The conservatorium will deliver expanded music programs to students across the region."
FREE HOSPITALITY COURSES
A suite of fee-free short courses are now available for people looking to secure jobs or further their career in hospitality, as part of a new NSW Government program which aims to supercharge the sector and grow the economy. Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the Kickstart Your Career in Hospitality program aims to alleviate labour shortages that are hampering the industry and provide pathways for people looking for rewarding and well-paid careers.
HOLIDAY PARKS TOP TRAVELLERS' CHOICE
Twenty-two Reflections Holiday Parks in NSW have been named on TripAdvisor's Travellers’ Choice 2022 list, ranking in the top 10 per cent of properties over the last 12 months. CEO Nick Baker said: “Our parks rival any overseas vacation and showcase amazing regional destinations throughout NSW. Many of our guests are holidaying closer to home and rebook with us again and again. TripAdvisor is a traveller’s ‘holy grail of truth’ and it is an honour to be recognised."
SUPERCROSS SECURED
FOR NEWCASTLE
Destination NSW has joined with Venues NSW to bring the marquee event of the FOX Australian Supercross Championship - the AUSX Triple Crown - to Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium in November. Attracting a diverse range of events to Newcastle isn’t just a win for local supercross fans, it also provides the city with the opportunity to showcase its broad range of visitor economy offerings to travellers from intrastate and interstate.
SYDNEY RACES TO WORLD MARATHON STATUS
Blackmores Sydney Marathon has been chosen as a candidate for the Abbott World Marathon Majors (AbbottWMM). It is the first marathon in Oceania to be nominated and a proud moment for Destination NSW, which is supporting Sydney Marathon’s candidacy. If successful, it will join an esteemed group of AbbottWMM races in 2025, including the Boston Marathon, London Marathon and New York City Marathon.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
REDFERN ON TRACK FOR RENEWAL: Public land near one of Sydney’s best-connected train stations will be transformed to create an entertainment, technology and residential hub on the doorstep of the Sydney CBD. Learn more
BLAK MARKETS FIND NEW HOME IN THE ROCKS: Blak Markets has found a regular home at The Rocks, kicking off on 13-14 August 2022. The markets feature Aboriginal artworks, beauty products, jewellery and unique homewares. Learn more
NATURAL DISASTER DECLARED IN TWO ADDITIONAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS: Jointly funded Commonwealth-State disaster assistance has been extended to the LGAs of Kempsey and Port Macquarie Hastings following the June-July severe weather and flooding across NSW. 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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