Insights - 1 April 2022
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VISITOR ECONOMY BRACES FOR ITS BIGGEST
EASTER ON RECORD
Borders reopening, pent-up savings and the lateness of the Easter weekend are combining to deliver a bumper holiday season for the visitor economy.
Research released by the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) in conjunction with Roy Morgan shows that more than four million Australians are planning a trip away this Easter with $7.1 billion to be spent on holidays, while around $1.5 billion will be splurged on food.
The research also reveals that 63 per cent of Australians going away this Easter will be travelling within their own state, 34 per cent will be going interstate and 3 per cent overseas.
ARA CEO Paul Zahra said: “Australians have had their travel restricted at various stages through the pandemic, but with the borders opened, people will be taking advantage of the upcoming Easter long weekend, getting away and spending $7.1 billion on their trips – a significant boost for tourism operators and local businesses who’ve been doing it tough these past two years.”
Sydney Airport is encouraging domestic travellers to arrive two hours before their departing flight during the Easter school holidays, as it will be the busiest period for domestic air travel in two years.
Sydney Airport General Manager of Operations Greg Hay said: “Domestic passenger numbers have nearly doubled over the past six months and we are anticipating this Easter school holidays to be the busiest the airport’s been since the start of the pandemic.”
The NSW Government is adding to the Easter bounty with a Fare Free 12 Days of Easter initiative on all Opal network services in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, the Hunter and the Illawarra. The initiative includes Metro, train, bus, light rail and ferry services.
Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott said it has been a challenging time for many following COVID-19 restrictions, adverse weather and disruptions to the rail network, with the initiative delivering some hip pocket relief as well as a boost to small businesses that have been doing it tough.
NSW residents with unused Dine & Discover, Stay NSW or Parents NSW vouchers are being encouraged to get their family or friends together and take advantage of free travel to rediscover Greater Sydney from 14-26 April.
Pictured: Fishermen's Wharf, Woy Woy.
VISITOR ECONOMY HIGHLIGHTS FROM FEDERAL BUDGET
The 2022-23 Federal Budget has delivered a raft of measures aimed at further assisting the NSW visitor economy to rebound after two challenging years.
Measures announced include:
- Additional tax deductions for digital uptake and training
- Fuel excise cut by 50 per cent, saving 22.1 cents per litre
- Lower tax instalments for pay-as-you-go (PAYG) and GST instalments for the 2022-23 income year
- Changes to the PAYG system to improve small business cashflow
- Improvements to the reporting of taxable payments
- Allowing small and medium businesses who manufacture, import and distribute in the alcohol and fuel sectors to lodge and pay excise and excise-equivalent customs duty on a quarterly basis from 1 July 2023.
There will also be a one-off cap increase to the number of places available to working holidaymakers, with 11,000 extra visas available for prospective backpackers.
The Federal Government is also supporting the delivery of the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 and Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029, which Australia is bidding to host. If successful, this will add rugby alongside road cycling, basketball, soccer, cricket and netball events, among many others, that Australia will host in the next 10 years.
Other major sporting events will receive $10.7 million to drive increased community engagement, gender equality and physical activity participation to maximise social, economic and sporting outcomes, including $4.4 million for ICC T20 Men’s World Cup 2022 legacy measures; $3.1 million for FIFA Women’s Football World Cup 2023 legacy measures; and $2.6 million for FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2022 legacy measures.
The ICC T20 Men's World Cup 2022, FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2022 and the final of the FIFA Women's Football World Cup 2023 are among the events that have been secured for NSW by Destination NSW as part of its 10 World Cups in 10 Years initiative.
THRIVE 2030 VISITOR ECONOMY STRATEGY LAUNCHED
A new strategy for the long-term growth of Australia’s visitor economy, THRIVE 2030, has also been launched.
International and domestic tourism generated $166 billion a year for the Australian visitor economy prior to the pandemic, supporting more than one million jobs. The new strategy is expected to see the value of the visitor economy increase to $230 billion by 2030.
To deliver THRIVE 2030, the Australian Government is providing an initial investment of:
- $75.5 million in targeted support for travel agents and tour arrangement service providers to continue to operate and re-book travel credits
- $60 million over three years to attract more visitors to Australia from new and diverse international markets
- $2 million over two years for the development of an industry led visitor economy online employment and skills platform
- $4.8 million for Tourism Research Australia to capture and analyse new tourism and visitor data sources, to support businesses, organisations and governments to make more timely and informed business decisions.
Executive chair of Australian Chamber – Tourism John Hart said: “The THRIVE strategy recognises that Australia’s prosperity is contingent on a strong visitor economy. With the tourism industry ready to roar back to life, the THRIVE strategy has come at the right time.
“After engaging with Austrade throughout the consultation process, Australian Chamber – Tourism is pleased to see a recovery strategy that incorporates a strong vision, solid targets and an actionable plan. The interests of Australia’s visitor economy are best served by a strongly aligned strategy that defines the sector’s potential and how it will be achieved.“
TOURISM INVESTMENT STAYS STRONG
Investment in Australia’s tourism sector also remains strong despite the challenges of COVID-19. According to the 2020-21 Tourism Investment Monitor there are 225 tourism projects in the pipeline, valued at a combined nearly $43 billion.
Highlights include:
- In the accommodation segment, the pipeline contains 133 projects worth $10.5 billion, that will deliver 20,100 new rooms
- 79 arts, recreation and business services projects, up 10 projects, valued at $15.7 billion
- 79 regional projects valued at $13.6 billion.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said: “Investors are clearly confident about Australia’s future as a world-class tourism destination and the projects establish a firm foundation on which to build Australia’s tourism recovery. These projects represent new Australian jobs and opportunities for businesses and will help underpin Australia’s strong economic recovery from COVID-19.”
SUPPORT FOR ABORIGINAL BUSINESSES
Applications are open for the NSW Government’s Closing the Gap grants, with nearly $9 million available to turbocharge Aboriginal businesses and provide additional support for Aboriginal communities.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin said: “These grants grow the number and capability of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses and scale-up community-controlled organisations to reach new sectors, locations and markets.
“Funding is available to eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses operating in NSW for projects that will strengthen the capability of those organisations to win NSW Government contracts, sell goods and services to the NSW Government and/or grow their businesses. Community grants can be utilised for a variety of activities to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations deliver more services and serve their communities with culturally centered and safe programs.”
For further information and to apply visit www.aboriginalaffairs.nsw.gov.au/grants
The NSW Government is also hosting Meet the Buyer events across NSW. The networking events give First Nations businesses the opportunity to meet with NSW Government agency and cluster procurement officers, head contractors and other buyers.
The events will support Aboriginal businesses to grow and flourish by linking them to the account holders in each agency, so that they can learn about and compete for a full range of government tenders.
Each event will begin with a Welcome to Country, followed by an update on key metrics including spending with Aboriginal businesses since the introduction of the new Aboriginal Procurement Policy. A panel discussion will be followed by networking. Registrations are now open for networking evenings in Newcastle on 5 April, Tamworth on 7 April, Dubbo on 3 May and Wagga Wagga on 11 May.
GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL FLOOD
RECOVERY SUPPORT
More than $930 million of additional NSW Government support measures partly co-funded with the Australian Government have been announced for flood impacted areas of NSW.
The additional support measures announced this week include:
- Extra Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payments of up to $2000 for residents of Lismore, Ballina, Byron, Kyogle, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley and Tweed
- $142 million for a Property Assistance and Demolition Program to assess properties and demolish those found to be uninhabitable across disaster declared LGAs
- $100 million for a Small and Medium-sized Business Package in the LGAs of Lismore, Ballina, Byron, Kyogle, Richmond Valley, Clarence Valley and Tweed and up to $50 million for large businesses and major employers in key industries to provide immediate financial assistance in the Northern Rivers
- A Local Council Support Package of $120 million to provide grants to impacted local councils to assist with urgent and medium-term financial and operational challenges, plus $145 million for the urgent repair and replacement of water and sewerage critical infrastructure capacity in the Northern Rivers disaster declared LGAs.
Flood recovery rental support is also open for applications. The flood recovery rental support payment helps people in suburbs who are unable to live in their homes due to
the February and March 2022 storms and floods.
The one-off payment is to help pay for short-term accommodation bookings made on or after 22 February 2022 that are 14 nights or more. Applications for rental support are now open. People who need accommodation support in the coming weeks and months can register for the Temporary Housing Support Package. For more information and to apply visit service.nsw.gov.au.
Recovery Centres and assistance points continue to open their doors to flood-affected communities across NSW, with new facilities now operating in Cessnock, Nimbin, Ulladulla and Woodburn.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said Recovery Centres provide individuals, families, farmers and business owners with easy access to a range of Government support, services and advice.
“Each Recovery Centre is operated by Resilience NSW staff and brings together a range of NSW Government agencies, community organisations and service providers under one roof," Ms Cooke said.
To view the opening hours of each Recovery Centre and assistance point go to: www.service.nsw.gov.au/floods/recovery-centres.
ARTS & CULTURAL SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITIES
Flood-impacted arts and cultural organisations, screen practitioners, individual artists and collaborative groups in NSW will soon be able to access funding to support the immediate recovery of arts and cultural activities in their communities.
Minister for the Arts Ben Franklin said: “The Northern Rivers region has the highest number of creative practitioners per capita in NSW and while we know the full extent of the damage is still being assessed, it is critical we support affected communities in their recovery as quickly as possible.
“The NSW Government, through Create NSW, has worked in consultation with leading arts and cultural organisations in the region to develop the support package, which includes a $70,000 funding program to be administered by Arts Northern Rivers to deliver micro-grants of up to $1000 to local artists and art groups. We’re also providing $70,000 funding to Screenworks to deliver micro-grants of up to $5000 to support screen practitioners in the Lismore and other flood affected areas."
WATCH: REGIONAL NSW HEADS TO AIME
Destination NSW invested in exhibition space this month at AIME, the leading trade event for the meetings and event industry in the Asia Pacific region. Regional destination partners including Orange, Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast, Hunter Valley, Tamworth, Newcastle, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Albury had the opportunity to showcase their products in-person, allowing business event planners to truly appreciate why NSW is the premier business event destination of the Asia Pacific.
SCENIC WORLD LIGHTS UP THE NIGHT
Scenic World is celebrating Light Up The Night from 8– 30 April. Visitors will be dazzled by more than 50,000 lights shaped into installations and sculptures, plus they can dance the night away at the world's only cable car nightclub, the Disco Skyway, and explore the Katoomba Night-Lit Walk, a 1.3km family-friendly illuminated circuit that connects to lookouts to view the Three Sisters, Katoomba Falls, Orphan Rock and the Jamison Valley. Light Up The Night is part of the Equinox – Autumn Celebration of the Senses festival.
NSW PARLIAMENT PASSES NEW EVENT LEGISLATION
This week the NSW Parliament passed the Motor Sports Bill 2022 and Major Events Amendment Bill 2022. This legislation ensures that NSW has an efficient and effective legal framework to facilitate major events and is an important policy lever for attracting events. The Motor Sports Bill 2022 consolidated three previous motorsport Acts and the Major Events Amendment Bill 2022 updated the Major Events Act 2009 to provide greater flexibility for the locations and times it can apply.
AEROTROPOLIS PRECINCT PLAN REVEALED
The Western Sydney Aerotropolis is set for take-off, with the NSW Government releasing a final Precinct Plan that will support more than 100,000 jobs and 11,400 new homes. The final Precinct Plan will enable the development process to begin at the Aerotropolis and kick start the benefits and opportunities that a new international airport will bring to Western Sydney. Developer contributions will fund up to $1.1 billion in infrastructure, such as roads, public transport, health facilities and schools to support the new city.
TAKE 3 FOR THE SEA VISITOR LITTER PROGRAM
Take 3 for the Sea has launched Ground Swell, a program designed to help NSW businesses develop and implement action plans to keep travel destinations litter free. The Ground Swell team will lead businesses on a litter reduction journey from April to November 2022, with opportunities to share challenges and solutions and receive an official supporter package worth $5000.
NSW SOMMELIER'S WINE LIST AWARDS OPEN
The 2022 NSW Sommelier's Wine List Awards are open for entries. The awards support and reward restaurants, wine bars, pubs, clubs and hotels in Sydney and regional NSW. The judges assess the wine lists using criteria including wine list content, presentation, educational content, selection, food and wine matching, service and NSW wine representation. Entries close 19 April.
WATCH: WORLD CYCLING EVENT FOR WOLLONGONG
The full race details for the 2022 UCI Road World Championships have been released, unveiling challenging Road Race courses, a demanding Wollongong City Circuit and highly technical Time Trial courses. Supported by Destination NSW, the event will showcase Wollongong’s landscape and highlights of the city centre, create world-class competition among the sport’s top athletes and provide an outstanding spectator experience for fans in Wollongong and those watching the global broadcast. Learn more
ROLLERAMA OPENS AT DARLING HARBOUR
One of the nation’s most nostalgic pastimes is making a return to Sydney’s CBD. Rollerama, an outdoor roller skating rink, has been installed at Darling Harbour ahead of the school holidays. Extending from the Pier Street Underpass to the boulevard, it is open until 24 April as part of the NSW Government’s work to revitalise the CBD. Ticketholders can skate along to local DJs and artists or take a break and order a drink from the bar or browse menus from nearby venues using a QR code.
WORKING HOLIDAY MAKERS SUPPORT FLOOD RECOVERY
The Australian Government is making changes to encourage Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) to support communities affected by flood disasters in northern NSW and Queensland. WHMs supporting flood recovery efforts since January 2022 can count this work when applying for second and third WHM visas from mid-2022. Information on eligible kinds of flood recovery work is available on the Department of Home Affairs’ website.
AGE INCREASE FOR ITALIAN & DANISH WORKING HOLIDAY MAKERS
From 1 July 2022 the age limit for Italian and Danish citizens wanting to work and travel in Australia will increase by five years – from 30 to 35 years of age. Australian citizens up to the age of 35 will also benefit from reciprocal arrangements with Italy and Denmark. Australia has previously negotiated arrangements on a reciprocal basis with Canada, France and Ireland to expand the eligible age range for WHM applicants to 35 years.
EXPLORE NSW DURING GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS
Great Southern Nights is getting the show back on the road across NSW, with gigs this weekend including Daryl Braithwaite at Shoal Bay Country Club, Diesel at Lizotte's Lambton and Russell Morris at Moonee Beach Tavern. Destination NSW, in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), is bringing live music to venues right across NSW until April 10, from Byron Bay to Albury and Sydney to Broken Hill.
SUNRISE HEADS TO COWRA AND GRIFFITH
Griffith and Cowra will be showcased on Network Seven's Weekend Sunrise program this weekend thanks to investment by the NSW Government. Weather presenter James Tobin will visit the regions during JT Travels NSW, a recurring monthly segment created in partnership with Destination NSW. Many unique tourism operators and iconic locations will be profiled, putting these regions front of mind for holidaymakers.
AUSTRALIAN TOURISM EXCHANGE TO WELCOME INTERNATIONAL BUYERS
More than 1100 international buyers and Australian tourism operators will attend the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) Live in Sydney from 15-18 May 2022. In addition to more than 38,000 appointments that will take place during the event, there will be plenty of opportunities to network with industry colleagues. ATE Online will follow from 24-26 May for more than 400 international buyers unable to travel to Australia. ATE is hosted by Tourism Australia and the live event is being delivered in partnership with Destination NSW.
DESTINATION NSW SHORTLISTED FOR MUMBRELLA AWARDS
Destination NSW has been shortlisted in three categories at the Mumbrella CommsCon Awards 2022.
- Best B2C Campaign: Feel New brand campaign - Destination NSW
- Launch or Relaunch Campaign of the Year: ABBA x DNSW Album Launch – Destination NSW and BRING by Universal Music Australia
- Best PR Team of the Year – In-house: Destination NSW
Winners will be announced on 19 May.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
$1.6 BILLION IN WESTINVEST GRANTS OPEN FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS: West and South-West Sydney community groups can apply for WestInvest funding with the $1.6 billion Community Project Grants program open to registrations of interest. Community, sports, multicultural and faith based groups, non-government organisations, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, universities, Local Councils, registered charities and more are encouraged to put forward transformative ideas for their neighbourhoods. Read more
TASTE OF THE BEACHES TICKETS NOW ON SALE: Following on from the successful introduction of Taste of the Beaches in 2021, the expanded month-long foodie celebration is back in May with more than 42 businesses taking part. Read more
LIGHT RAIL UNEARTHS PARRAMATTA’S HISTORY: Locals and visitors to Parramatta can immerse themselves in the unique history and heritage of Australia’s second oldest city during a new exhibition featuring local artefacts uncovered during construction of the Parramatta Light Rail. The exhibition will open at the Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre on 7 April. Read 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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