Insights - 28 July 2023
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FIFA WOMEN'S CUP AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND 2023™ SMASHES RECORDS
Ticket sales have exceeded 1.5 million for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™, establishing a new benchmark for any FIFA Women's World Cup™ event.
More than 500,000 of those have been for Sydney-based matches.
The first 12 matches of the tournament have drawn a total attendance of 363,937. This represents an average match attendance of 30,326, eclipsing the average of 21,756 for France 2019 and the historical tournament average of 24,780 for all FIFA Women’s World Cup™ matches.
The 72 per cent increase in attendance compared to France 2019 highlights the growing popularity of women's football globally.
The highest match attendance was recorded during the Australia vs Republic of Ireland game at Sydney's Stadium Australia, with a record 75,784 attendees.
In addition to match attendance, Sydney’s FIFA Fan Festival in Tumbalong Park has seen impressive participation with a total of 117,013 visitors across four days, averaging 29,253 per day.
Broadcast viewership has also soared, with the game between Australia and the Republic of Ireland recording an average audience of 1.94 million viewers, nearly tripling the previous record and even surpassing viewership figures from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
Football Australia CEO James Johnson said: "This tournament is creating history and we are delighted. We are seeing a surge in support for women's football, not just in ticket sales, but also in broadcast viewership, fan festival participation and merchandise sales."
P&O CELEBRATES 90 YEARS OF SYDNEY CRUISING
P&O Cruises has marked 90 years of cruising in Sydney Harbour by naming singer Ricki-Lee Coulter as the Godmother of Pacific Adventure.
P&O embarked on its first return cruise from Sydney in December 1932, taking 1100 passengers to Brisbane and Norfolk Island.
In 2023, Pacific Adventure will sail on 58 voyages from its home port of Sydney. By the end of the year, she will have taken nearly 200,000 guests around Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
P&O Cruises Australia President Marguerite Fitzgerald said: “P&O pioneered cruising in Australia, with the first voyage out of Sydney. We are so pleased to be here for you 90 years on.
“Our commitment to calling Sydney home has been steadfast. We have invested in our ships and in the businesses that support us year-round to make sure that remains the case for decades to come.
“Cruising supports so many communities, small businesses, tourism and hospitality operators with more than $3.3 billion injected into NSW."
VISITORS BOOST NORTH COAST ECONOMY BY $5.5 BILLION
Destination NSW data shows that Destination North Coast attracted the most visitor nights and expenditure of any NSW region in 2022.
Destination North Coast stretches from the Queensland border to Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest. The Destination Network welcomed 11.6 million visitors in 2022, who stayed 21,178 nights and spent almost $5.5 billion.
The ‘Value of Tourism to North Coast 2022’ report shows the visitor economy delivers $10,423 every minute of every day for Destination North Coast, with its value growing by 33.5 per cent during 2022.
Byron Bay was the number one visitor destination in the Northern Rivers, with 1.452 million visitors. Port Macquarie was the top destination on the Mid-North Coast, with 1.429 million visitors.
The top five activities for domestic overnight visitors to the North Coast were eating out (60 per cent), going to the beach (50 per cent), visiting friends and relatives (34 per cent), going to pubs, clubs and discos (28 per cent) and sightseeing (26 per cent).
In 2022, the North Coast secured events that delivered $362 million of domestic visitor expenditure.
Read the full report here.
Feedback is being sought from the local community, operators, businesses and visitors to inform an updated version of the Tweed Region Destination Management Plan. Learn more here.
Part of a 'Value of Tourism' Series. Next week: The Murray
NORTH COAST'S BEST TOURISM BUSINESSES REVEALED
The 2023 North Coast Tourism Awards were celebrated last night at Plantation House, part of Tropical Fruit World, in a partnership between the NSW Tourism Industry Council and Destination North Coast.
The awards recognise growth and entrepreneurship and celebrate business success across the Destination North Coast region.
Among the winners were Summerland Farm (Tourist Attraction of the Year), Bluesfest (Festival of the Year), Giingan Gumbaynggirr Cultural Experience (Excellence in Cultural Tourism) and Pacific Bay Resort (Business Event Venue of the Year). Business of the Year was awarded to Contained In Nimbin Accommodation.
The gala award ceremony followed the North Coast 2023 Tourism Symposium, an industry conference that featured thought leaders and trend analysts, topic experts and tourism trailblazers. The theme for the conference, which was held at Peppers Resort & Spa in Kingscliff, was ‘Redefining Normal‘.
Learn more here.
COFFS HARBOUR'S $747 MILLION TOURISM BONANZA
Destination NSW figures reveal visitors spent $747 million in the City of Coffs Harbour local government area in 2022.
“This is a fantastic result and a tribute to the wonderful local tourism operators and many other businesses who make a visit to the region so enjoyable – and guarantee people spread the word and keep coming back,” said City of Coffs Harbour General Manager Natalia Cowley.
“The ‘Value of Tourism to North Coast 2022’ report also showed that – every day - tourism injected $2.1 million into the local economy right here. This equates to 14 per cent of all visitor expenditure on the North Coast.
“It’s just two years since the Coffs Coast became NSW’s first ever ECO Destination in recognition of the region’s support for more sustainable outcomes for the planet.
“The Coffs Coast presents locals and visitors with a wealth of travel experiences in a stunning region including our unique, environmentally-conscious tourism offerings – and these figures show that we’re well and truly on the national and global map.”
Coffs Harbour is also celebrating a swag of medal wins for local businesses in the 2023 North Coast Tourism Awards.
REGIONAL TOURISM DATA RELEASED
Tourism Research Australia has released its 2021-22 data for regional tourism. NSW regional data is available for the Blue Mountains, Capital Country, Central Coast, Central NSW, the Hunter, New England North West, North Coast NSW, Outback NSW, Riverina, Snowy Mountains, South Coast, Sydney and The Murray. It includes details on gross value added, full-time and part-time employment, international and domestic tourism consumption and the number of tourism businesses.
NEW SXSW SYDNEY SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED
Coachella CEO Paul Tollett, Queer Eye star Tan France and Slack Co-Founder Cal Henderson are joining the inaugural SXSW Sydney. The ever-growing line-up of speakers for the creative industries festival includes advertising icon David Droga, Google Australia MD Melanie Silva and Netflix ANZ Content EP Que Minh Luu, alongside futurist Amy Webb. Destination NSW is a proud partner of SXSW Sydney, which will be held from 15-22 October 2023.
EOIs OPEN FOR VIVID SYDNEY 2024
Following record-breaking attendance in 2023, Vivid Sydney is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for its 2024 event program. In 2023 Vivid Sydney attracted more than 3.28 million attendees who experienced more than 300 light, music, ideas and food events. Artists, musicians, thought leaders and food creatives are invited to submit an EOI to be part of the 2024 program under the creative vision of ‘Vivid Sydney, Humanity’, exploring what makes us human and how we can make a better world. Vivid Sydney 2024 will take place from 24 May to 15 June. EOIs for the Light, Music, Ideas and Food pillars are now open. Light and Cross Art Form EOIs will close on 21 August 2023 with Ideas, Music and Food closing on 18 September 2023.
DESTINATION NSW JOINS UPTOWN EVENT
Destination NSW was delighted to be part of the conversation this week at an Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Uptown-themed Open Mike Night. The event showcased the 21 funded districts from the 2023 Uptown Grant Program, which is empowering independent business collectives across Greater Sydney to develop fully realised visions for their district’s night-time visitor economies. Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, and Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham spoke at the event, while Destination NSW Director Brand Strategy & Customer Experience Bohdi Lewis presented data on the importance of major events and vibrant nightlife to the appeal of Greater Sydney as a destination.
SYDNEY SECURES NRL GRAND FINAL
The 2023 NRL and NRLW Grand Finals will be played in Sydney on 1 October at Accor Stadium following an agreement between the NSW Government and the Australian Rugby League Commission. Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said: “We all love a Grand Final, but this event has become so much more, making a big social and economic contribution to the state. This event attracts thousands of fans from interstate and overseas who also visit Sydney’s many attractions, enjoy shows and arts, eat and drink in our world-class restaurants, supporting jobs in the visitor economy."
COUNTING DOWN TO LOGIES 2023
Logie nominee Amy Shark and Peking Duk are among the acts that will perform live at the TV Week Logie Awards this Sunday, 30 July 2023. Brian Walsh will also be inducted into the Hall of Fame during the ceremony, which is being held at The Star in Sydney. Celebrity guests and presenters will include Sam Neill, David Wenham, Ray Meagher, Emily Symons, Todd McKenney, Celeste Barber, Samantha Armytage and Johanna Griggs. The TV WEEK Logie Awards is proudly supported by Destination NSW. The ceremony will be broadcast on Channel Seven and 7Plus and hosted by comedian Sam Pang.
JUNE AIRLINE ON-TIME PERFORMANCE
Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics data for June 2023 shows on-time performance over all routes operated by participating airlines (Jetstar, Qantas, QantasLink, Rex Airlines, Skytrans, Virgin Australia and Virgin Australia Regional Airlines) averaged 69 per cent for on time arrivals and 70.3 per cent for on time departures. Among the major domestic airlines, Qantas network recorded 70.7 per cent for on-time arrivals while Virgin Australia network recorded 65 per cent. Jetstar achieved the highest on time arrivals among the major domestic airlines at 67.1 per cent.
NEW SYDNEY AIRPORT FORECOURT OPENS
Sydney Airport has officially opened its new T1 International Arrivals Forecourt. First Nations perspectives have been embedded throughout the design and construction of the forecourt. More than 12,000 different plants, all grown in Australia, were planted by Wildflower – Gardens for Good, an Indigenous-led not -for-profit organisation that provides safe and meaningful work for people facing barriers to employment. Over the next five years, Sydney Airport will spend nearly $3 billion in capital programs across the precinct to improve the experience for passengers.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
FUNDING TO CELEBRATE FIRST ABORIGINAL LANGUAGES WEEK: Aboriginal Languages Week will take place annually to coincide with the passing of Aboriginal Languages legislation into law on 24 October 2017. Events and activities will be supported by a new grants program of $250,000 administered by the Aboriginal Languages Trust. Learn more
$10 MILLION BOOST TO PREPARE FOR BUSHFIRE SEASON: Hazard reduction burns are underway across the state as rural firefighters try to take advantage of favourable conditions ahead of the 2023-24 bushfire season. Learn more
$12.5 MILLION IN COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE GRANTS OPEN: Applications for funding under the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program open from 31 July for arts, sports, community infrastructure and disaster preparedness projects to build or upgrade facilities. Learn more
$9.1 MILLION BOOST TO HELP FLOOD-AFFECTED COMMUNITIES: The Federal and NSW Governments have launched a $9.1 million grant program for community organisations and non-government organisations as they help flood-affected regions on their road to recovery. Learn more
$7.5 MILLION FOR TOURISM WORKERS: The Federal Government is helping to rebuild Australia’s tourism workforce by offering State and Territory governments and tourism bodies a share of $7.5 million for programs to attract workers to the visitor economy via the Choose Tourism program. Learn more
BIENNALE SYDNEY VISION REVEALED: The curatorial vision - Ten Thousand Suns - and first 37 artists have been revealed for the for its 24th edition of Biennale Sydney, which will be open from 9 March to 10 June 2024 at various locations across Sydney. Learn more
HAVE YOUR SAY ON THE TAMWORTH REGIONAL EVENTS STRATEGY 2023-2030: Tamworth Regional Council is developing a strategy to establish the region as the events capital of regional NSW. The project has been made possible by the NSW Government under the Regional NSW – Business Case and Strategy Development Fund. Learn more
D'VINE LONG WEEKEND EVENT: An enhanced version of the Around Hermitage Wine and Food Trail will take place from 30 September to 2 October 2023, featuring a selection of experiences, events and adventures across 14 Hunter Valley venues. Learn more
UFC FANS GET CHANCE TO SECURE TICKETS: UFC 293 tickets are available for purchase for the public from via Ticketek. The event will be held at Qudos Bank Arena on 10 September 2023. Learn more
SELWYN SNOW RESORT REOPENS: Premier Chris Minns attended the reopening ceremony and unveiled a commemorative Selwyn Centre Plaque. The resort was destroyed by bushfires in 2020. 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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