VIVID SYDNEY TRIUMPHS AT AUSTRALIAN EVENT AWARDS NSW has been recognised as the events capital of Australia, with Vivid Sydney claiming the Best Public Event (National) accolade at the 2022 Australian Event Awards. Vivid Sydney – the largest festival of light, music and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere – is proudly owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW. The judges said the professionalism of the Vivid Sydney management team was clearly reflected in the way the event was curated and delivered across multiple sites over an extended period. "What an explosion of culture, community, creativity and colour that captures the true heart of a global city through a unique combination of art, technology, action and attitude," the judges said.
The award was accepted by Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini during a ceremony aboard The Jackson. Vivid Sydney 2022 injected $119 million into Sydney’s visitor economy. The 23-night festival attracted 2.58 million attendees and visitors from overseas, interstate and across NSW. Hundreds of thousands of people attended the festival, purchased tickets, went to events, dined out and supported tourism operators and small businesses. Overall, almost 30 per cent of attendees came from outside Sydney, with 20,434 visitors then spending time in regional NSW, delivering more than $12 million to the visitor economy.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR
CHRISTINE MCLOUGHLIN AMFormer Chair of Destination NSW Christine McLoughlin AM received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Australian Event Awards gala celebration. The Lifetime Achievement Award recognises Australians who have made significant contributions to the events industry in Australia. Ms McLoughlin AM has played a significant role in the visitor economy, events and sporting sectors. She is a former Chairman and Board Member of Venues NSW and is Chairman and Co-founder of the Minerva Network, created to support Australia’s elite
female athletes. Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said: “Under Christine’s stewardship, Destination NSW accelerated the implementation of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030, launched the Feel New destination brand, developed new funding programs and aviation support packages and delivered a vibrant, world-class calendar of major events.” The accolade follows Ms McLoughlin AM being awarded a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours for her services to business, the not-for-profit sector and women. Australian Event Awards photos by EventPix.
NSW ECONOMY SOARS INTO SUMMER WITH
INCREASED FLIGHTS TO SYDNEY The NSW visitor economy is set to receive a $142 million boost over summer through 280,000 additional inbound airline seats secured through the NSW Government’s Aviation Attraction Fund. New increased capacity will peak between December and February on routes between Sydney and Abu Dhabi, Auckland, Christchurch, Colombo, Doha, Dubai, Incheon, Los Angeles, Queenstown, Singapore, Tokyo, Vancouver and Wellington capitalising on Sydney’s appeal as a summer destination. This is in addition to new AAF supported routes already operating between Sydney and Bengaluru (Bangalore), San Francisco, Ho Chi Minh and Houston. The cumulative uplift of confirmed inbound summer activity is expected to support 790
jobs within NSW. Minister for Tourism Ben Franklin said: “This is such an exciting time for Sydney and our State as we welcome international visitors back to our shores for the first summer holiday period since the pandemic. “The increased capacity on these routes will bring thousands of visitors into NSW which will provide a significant boost to local businesses and tourism operators. Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert said the additional services on the 17 existing routes would generate further momentum in the recovery of aviation. “The inbound demand continues to grow, and we look forward to welcoming millions of visitors through our doors over the coming months," Mr
Cuthbert said. Tourism and Transport Forum CEO Margy Osmond said: “From new routes and airlines to a greater number of inbound seats on popular routes, this NSW Government initiative is stimulating the visitor economy by getting more visitors to Sydney as quickly as possible." The Aviation Attraction Fund, managed by Destination NSW, is open until 30 June 2023.
DESTINATION NSW LAUNCHES 'SYDNEY SIDE OF SUMMER' MARKETING CAMPAIGNDestination NSW has launched a ‘Sydney Side of Summer’ campaign to highlight Sydney’s 2022-2023 event calendar, which features 84 major events that are forecast to deliver more than $500 million in visitor expenditure for NSW. The line-up ranges from Carmen on Cockatoo Island to Noël Sydney, the United Cup and Sydney WorldPride. It is
supported by a major marketing campaign inviting visitors to come feel the Sydney side of summer through public relations, outdoor billboards and radio. The campaign will run until 28 February 2023.
$10 MILLION FUNDING PROGRAM FOR CARAVAN PARKS Infrastructure upgrades and new facilities at caravan parks across the country will be supported by the Federal Government's $10 million Caravan Parks Grant Program. Federal Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell said: “Domestic tourism is recovering strongly and in many parts of the country has already rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. Upgrading caravan parks will further encourage Australians to hit the road and experience the very best of Australia's coastal and inland regions.” Caravan Industry Association
of Australia Chief Executive Stuart Lamont said: “Caravanning has long been Australian domestic tourism's largest visitor and economic cohort, an almost $24 billion economic driver in tourism and local manufacturing activity. “Delivering more compelling accommodation and holiday stopover experiences in caravan parks we know will appeal to Australians from all walks of life as well as returning international visitors.” Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis to eligible park owners with plans for infrastructure upgrades that align with the program objectives and outcomes. Applicants must provide evidence their projects can be completed by May 2024. Applications close on 22 December 2022.
NSW FLOOD RESPONSE BOOSTEDCrews and equipment have been deployed to the Central West and Murrumbidgee to assist with reconnecting the road network. Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said: “We are bringing in 200 people from Transport for NSW and contractors on a fly-in, fly-out basis, excavators, trucks and bobcats from around the state to support councils and existing crews with the massive task of repairing and restoring roads.” The NSW Government will also fast-track $15 million in emergency funding for urgent road repairs in eight local government areas.
SYDNEY'S NEW AIRPORT AND POWERHOUSE UNITE Western Sydney International Airport and Powerhouse Parramatta are joining forces to attract national and international visitors to Western Sydney and bolster STEM education as part of a new visitor economy partnership agreement. They will collaborate on joint initiatives, research and strategic programs in the areas of STEM, First Nations and aviation. Under the agreement, they will provide leading STEM educational resources and immersive, engaging aviation education experiences for students in Western Sydney.
WORK BEGINS ON GREAT SOUTHERN WALKConstruction has commenced on the Great Southern Walk, a 67-kilometre adventure through three coastal areas. Work is underway on the Illawarra Escarpment section, linking Bald Hill with Stanwell Park. The Great Southern Walk Project is part of the NSW Government’s commitment to deliver more than 200 visitor infrastructure projects by 2024, including 750km of new and upgraded walking and mountain-biking tracks, 61 new or improved picnic and visitor areas and 36 campground upgrades.
GOOD FOOD GUIDE 2023 WINNERS The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide 2023 awards have returned after a three-year hiatus, with Firedoor in Surry Hills crowned Restaurant of the Year and Pipit in Pottsville named Regional Restaurant of the Year. Best New Restaurant of the Year was Kiln in Sydney, with Bistro Livi in Murwillumbah named New Regional Restaurant of the Year. This year's guide features a record 20 restaurants from the Northern Rivers, plus chef's hats for restaurants spanning Narooma to Brunswick Heads.
AUSTRALIAN FASHION LAUREATE RECIPIENTS The recipients of the 2022 Australian Fashion Laureate have been announced. Ken Done was awarded the Australian Fashion Laureate for Lifetime Achievement, while Camilla Freeman-Topper and Marc Freeman at CAMILLA & MARC were awarded Designer of the Year. Destination NSW is a proud partner of the IMG event, which honours individuals who have played a significant role in the growth and cultural impact of fashion.
FIRST LOOK: ZAMPATTI POWERHOUSEZampatti Powerhouse, a major exhibition that celebrates the life and legacy of Carla Zampatti has opened at the Powerhouse Museum. The NSW Government is proud to support the first retrospective of the Australian fashion icon, with 100 designs from more than 50 lenders and over five decades of material, capturing a trailblazing career from the establishment of the designer's business in 1965 to her most recent work.
VIEW THE LATEST ContentED NEWSLETTER From Sydney’s Northern Beaches to waterfront lunches in the Riverina and azure ocean pools on the Sapphire Coast, the latest edition of ContentED is packed with new video and photography assets. Produced by the Destination NSW Content and Creative Services team, the extensive range of new content can be ordered and downloaded via links in the ContentED newsletter.
ICE SKATING RINK FOR BLUE MOUNTAINS Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains has opened the region’s first ice skating rink, for hotel guests and visitors to the Blue Mountains. Powered by local solar panels, Blue Mountains Ice Skating Rink will operate seven days a week. Owner Dr Jerry Schwartz said: "The Fairmont generates significant amounts of solar energy, which is used to power both the resort and the ice-skating rink."
SYDNEY SHINES AT
ARIA AWARDS Baker Boy took home five awards at the 2022 ARIA Awards, including Album of the Year. Supported by Destination NSW, the first in-person ARIA Awards since 2019 returned with Natalie Imbruglia as host alongside songwriter and drummer G Flip and Ruel. Minister for Tourism and the Arts Ben Franklin said: “The ARIA Awards underscore the importance of live music to the NSW visitor economy."
CARMEN DEBUTS ON COCKATOO ISLAND The inaugural Opera On Cockatoo Island opens tonight with Carmen. Destination NSW has partnered with Opera Australia to create the three-year series. The production features fireworks, car chases, motorbike stunts and fire-twirling, delivering an unforgettable, open-air spectacle. The outdoor event will take place exclusively in Sydney for three weeks on Cockatoo Island’s Bolt Wharf.
2023 SUPERCARS CALENDAR ANNOUNCED Twelve Repco Supercars Championship rounds will kick off with the Newcastle 500 from 10-12 March 2023. Sydney Motorsport Park will host the first-ever night race between the Camaro and Gen3 Mustang from 28-30 July. The 60th anniversary of the Repco Bathurst 1000, will be held on 8 October. The events are supported by Destination NSW, with tickets for the Newcastle 500 on sale through Supercars.com and Ticketek.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT JOBS PROGRAMA new Australian-first program will help address shortages in the labour market by connecting international students directly with NSW employers across the nation’s largest and most diverse state economy. Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Alister Henskens said the NSW Government through Study NSW is partnering with leading employment marketplace SEEK to deliver NSW Jobs Connect for International Students.
SYDNEY AMONG WORLD'S MOST ACCESSIBLE CITIES A new study by Valuable 500 has named Sydney as one of the 10 most accessible cities in the world for travellers with disability. Respondents answered questions about transport links, accessibility information and proximity of accommodation to attractions, shops and restaurants. The Australian Tourism Export Council, in partnership with Tourism Australia, has worked with the report's author Martin Heng to develop the Accessible and
Inclusive Host training program to help businesses service and attract travellers with access needs.
ALL ABOARD FOR CENTRAL STATION REVAMPThe NSW Government is giving the heritage-listed Sydney Terminal Building at Central Station a $350 million facelift, restoring one of Sydney’s signature sandstone buildings to its former glory. The works will breathe new life into the Grand Concourse, the Booking Hall, Eddy Plaza, Western Forecourt, and Central Electric Building. Alongside the station revamp, the NSW Government will also revitalise Eddy Avenue by supporting 15 new pop-up retailers ahead of major renovations of the public plaza, which is accessed by 70,000 visitors every week.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FREE PROGRAM ACCELERATES DIGITAL SKILLS IN WESTERN SYDNEY VISITOR ECONOMY: The Destination NSW NSW First Program initiative is open to 200 visitor attraction, accommodation and tour providers located in Sydney's Central River City and Western Parkland City. Learn more
ICC SYDNEY RELEASES NEW LOW CARBON MENU: The 2023 Menu Collection features low carbon menu options to make it easier for event organisers to make more sustainable food choices across its six core menus. Learn more NEW CBD METRO STATION TAKES SHAPE: Sydney’s new Pitt Street metro station is taking shape as work powers ahead on the NSW Government’s major transport project, Sydney Metro City and Southwest, ahead of services commencing in 2024. Learn more
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