Insights - 14 October 2022
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BLOCKBUSTER WEEKEND FOR VISITOR ECONOMY
International superstar Bruno Mars and the world’s richest turf race, The Everest, will come together on Saturday for the biggest event day in Sydney in three years.
More than 100,000 people from around the globe will don their suits and stilettos and converge on Royal Randwick for the race that stops the world, while across the road the 15-time Grammy Award winner will perform his second official concert at the new Allianz Stadium in front of around 40,000 fans.
Destination NSW has secured Bruno Mars for two Australian exclusive performances on 14 and 15 October 2022 to open the new stadium as an entertainment venue in style with megahits including 24K Magic, Uptown Funk, Marry You and Just The Way You Are. Learn more
The two Bruno Mars concerts and The Everest Carnival are predicted to inject more than $116 million into the NSW economy.
Destination NSW will also transform Sydney’s Circular Quay into an interactive pop-up precinct inspired by Moulin Rouge! The Musical on 15-16 October 2022. There will be photo opportunities, a pop-up cafe, interactive activities, giveaways and more. The centrepiece of the activation will be a huge heart-shaped swing set against an iconic backdrop of Sydney Harbour Bridge, with visitors invited to have their photo captured. New Moulin Rouge! The Musical tickets will be available on pre-sale from 17 October 2022. Learn more
In Western Sydney, Parramatta Lanes festival is running from 12-15 October 2022. The free festival, which celebrates eats, beats and art, is spread across the Parramatta CBD. It features more than 30 food stalls and pop-up bars. Learn more
EVEREST PUTS NSW ON THE WORLD RACING STAGE
The world’s richest race on turf, The Everest, will be hosted at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse on 15 October 2022. History will be made as 12 of the fastest horses on earth compete for $15 million in prizemoney.
The Everest attracts the world’s best sprinters and will put the global sporting spotlight firmly on the Harbour City.
The race is one of many highlights of the Sydney Everest Carnival, which celebrates world-class racing, fashion, hospitality and events from 17 September to 5 November at Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens.
Featuring $66.3 million in prizemoney and trophies, the Sydney Everest Carnival is one of the most anticipated events on the world racing stage, led by Everest Day and Golden Eagle Day, featuring the $10 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens on 29 October 2022 and the new $2 million The Big Dance on Cup Day at Royal Randwick on 1 November 2022.
The sky above Sydney Harbour lit up with a spectacular drone show this week that revealed the colours of the horses and barriers for The Everest. Watch it here.
Australian Turf Club Chairman Peter McGauran said: “These eight weeks of racing puts Sydney on the national and international racing and entertainment stage and provides thousands of jobs and added tourism and economic benefit to NSW."
Minister for Racing Kevin Anderson said: “This Carnival will bring people from all over the world with over 130,000 people expected to attend. This will generate around $100 million for the NSW economy, with a substantial amount of that being spent in the hospitality sector.
“The thoroughbred racing industry employs around 30,000 people, but the flow on effect is much greater. People come to town for a day at the races and they spend money at hotels, pubs and restaurants, growing the NSW economy.”
On 15 October 2022, 14 horses will line up for The Kosciuszko, the world’s richest race for country-trained horses, carrying $2 million in prizemoney. The race is restricted to NSW country and ACT trained horses only.
The NSW Government has invested $67 million in 21 regional racetracks via the 2021-22 NSW Budget, to deliver better facilities for punters and racegoers across the state.
Thoroughbred racing accounts for around 17,700 jobs in regional NSW and contributes
$1.9 billion to the state’s economy.
NEW FACE OF TOURISM AUSTRALIA UNVEILED
The face of Tourism Australia’s upcoming global marketing campaign has been unveiled in Tokyo and will hop onto billboards around the world over the next week, building anticipation ahead of the Come and Say G’day campaign launch.
Federal Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell revealed Australia’s new Brand Ambassador, Ruby the kangaroo, on a digital billboard in Shinjuku in Tokyo, Japan. Brought to life with CGI animation, Ruby, the souvenir kangaroo, will also appear on billboards in Singapore, London and New York.
Ruby will translate across both English and non-English speaking tourism markets, with Australian actress Rose Byrne to be the English voice of Ruby and Japanese actress Maryjun Takahashi to be the voice of Ruby in Japan.
The new campaign is the next instalment of Tourism Australia’s global 'There’s Nothing Like Australia' brand platform.
Pre-pandemic Australia welcomed 9.5 million international visitors annually, spending $45.4 billion and Japan was Australia’s fifth largest market with Australia welcoming 499,000 Japanese travellers spending $2.1 billion in 2019.
Tourism Australia’s global campaign, Come and Say G’day, will officially launch on 19 October 2022 in New York, and roll out across 15 key international markets.
CARAVAN TRIPS RETURN TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS
The Caravan Industry Association of Australia’s latest National Visitor Economy Report (June) shows the tide is turning for caravanning and camping trips following COVID-19 challenges.
While the overall annual nights stayed and trips taken remain marginally down, the numbers from the June 2022 quarter represent the largest June quarter on record. Australia recorded 14.1 million nights stayed across the country (from 3.9 million trips).
“This is an exceptional outcome given the challenges the industry has faced over the last two years, looking at the latest figures it is easy to see they represent strong demand for caravan and camping experiences in Australia,” said Caravan Industry Association of Australia CEO Stuart Lamont.
“The caravan and camping sector is vitally important to Australia's visitor economy, with 12.8 million overnight trips taken in the year end June 2022 and creating 52 million visitor nights."
Caravan & Camping Industry Association NSW CEO Lyndel Gray said the NSW caravan and camping visitor economy was rebounding after a challenging 12 months as a result of COVID-19 related restrictions and flooding events.
“There were 3.5 million overnight trips in NSW at year end June 2022, creating 12.8 million visitor nights,” Ms Gray said.
“These visitors spent more than $2.1 billion while they travelled, which supported local economies, job creation and regional communities.
“Data for July and August 2022 indicates increased caravan and camping activity in NSW, foreshadowing a return to sector growth this summer.”
ART GALLERY OF NSW UNVEILS YIRIBANA WORKS
More than 160 works, including special new acquisitions and projects, have been installed in the inaugural display of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art in the newly relocated Yiribana Gallery at the Art Gallery of New South Wales – the first gallery visitors encounter in the new building, which opens on 3 December 2022. Yiribana means ‘this way’ in the Aboriginal language of Sydney.
VIVID SYDNEY FINALIST IN EVENT AWARDS
Destination NSW has been announced as a finalist in the Achievement (National) category of 2022 Australian Event Awards for its work on Vivid Sydney 2022. Electric Canvas has also been announced as a finalist in the category for its Central Station installation at the festival. Additionally, Vivid Sydney 2022 is a finalist in the Best Event (National). The awards ceremony will be held in November.
WEBINAR: SYDNEY WORLDPRIDE 2023
Sydney WorldPride will take place from
17 February to 5 March 2023, with major events across the city and projected visitation on a scale not seen since the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Destination NSW is a major partner of the festival and will hold a webinar on 27 October 2022 to help visitor economy businesses get involved in the Pride Amplified open access program. The session will also provide guidance on promoting and selling stays and experiences in the lead up, during and post Sydney WorldPride.
LONG-TERM VISITOR ARRIVAL BOOM
Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows there were 18,400 long-term visitor arrivals (staying one year or more) to NSW in August 2022, an increase of 17,880 compared with August 2021 and 7.3 per cent higher than August 2019. NSW also welcomed 120,860 short-term visitors in August, an increase of 119,410 compared with August 2021. The number of trips for August 2022 was 57.3 per cent lower than August 2019. The three leading source countries were New Zealand (20,890 trips) United States (11,710) and India (11,490).
CAPELLA LODGE NAMED BEST RESORT
Lord Howe Island's Capella Lodge has won Best Resort in Australia and the South Pacific in Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards 2022. It scored 97.65 points from a possible 100. Owners James and Hayley Baillie said: “We’re so thrilled to see this endorsement from some of the world’s most discerning travellers. Lord Howe has been a favourite family holiday destination for us over generations and we consider the awards a reflection of a new era of conscious travel, where the chance to make a positive impact on the environment and communities in which we holiday will play a greater role.”
SYDNEY GATEWAY HITS 50 PER CENT COMPLETION
The $2.6 billion Sydney Gateway project, which will transform the way motorists travel to and from the Sydney Airport precinct, has hit a major milestone. Construction on the project is now 50 per cent complete, with work set to begin on the twin archway bridge over Alexandra Canal in Tempe. The project includes a new pedestrian and cycle path, creating a transport link for those who want an alternative way to travel. Treasurer Matt Kean said: “Sydney Gateway will generate and support more than 4000 jobs across the construction and manufacturing industries in Sydney and regional NSW."
NEW PIER PAVILION AT BARANGAROO
Work has commenced on the new Pier Pavilion on the foreshore at Waterman’s Cove. The venue will be used for a broad range of programmed events. The structure will include a green rooftop garden with indigenous plant species and 94 columns built using oyster concrete, which is made from ground oyster shells. Early work involves preparing the site and substructure works to reinforce the existing pier, which is due for completion in early 2023.
BATHURST 1000 BOOSTS CENTRAL WEST
Proudly supported by Destination NSW, the Repco Bathurst 1000 welcomed an estimated 20,000 visitors from 6-9 October 2022. The event was projected to inject $17 million into the region. Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said: “People travelled from across the world to experience what NSW has to offer. That meant booked out accommodation, full restaurants, cafes and pubs and more tourism dollars.”
NATIONAL PARK RENAMED ‘BEOWA’
Ben Boyd National Park on the NSW South Coast has been renamed as Beowa National Park, meaning ‘orca’ or ‘killer whale’ in Thaua language. Park signage carrying the new name Beowa National Park is now being installed. Separately, consultation is underway on the development of a groundbreaking new model for Aboriginal joint management of NSW national parks, which could see title to the entire estate transferred to Aboriginal owners over time.
NSW SUSTAINABLE STORYTELLERS
Three NSW visitor economy businesses feature in the latest chapter of Tourism Australia’s Sustainability Storytellers series. Chapter 3 - 'Navigating the path to carbon zero' - includes Comfort Inn City Centre Armidale, Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley and Sydney Opera House. Each has demonstrated a commitment to sustainability that shapes their core business strategy, way of doing business and ultimately their product or market appeal.
TRANSFORMING EDEN'S SNUG COVE
The NSW Government’s vision to transform the Port of Eden into a major cruise and boating destination is taking shape with private investors asked to help create a mixed-use marina development. Transport for NSW will hold market engagement activities for interested businesses, followed by a formal Expressions of Interest process.
QANTAS REPORTS STRONG TRAVEL DEMAND
Strong travel demand has accelerated Qantas Group's recovery from COVID-19. The Group said it expects half-year 2023 underlying profit before tax of between $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion. Qantas Domestic’s on-time performance in October has so far averaged 75 per cent despite a four per cent impact from continued extreme weather conditions.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
CALLING ABORIGINAL ORGANISATIONS - NSW CULTURAL GRANTS OPEN: The NSW Government is calling for applications for the $1 million 2022/2023 NSW Cultural Grants program, which will support community organisations, groups and businesses to fund Aboriginal cultural events and activities. Learn more
FURTHER FESTIVALS AND EVENTS FUNDING AVAILABLE TO MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITIES: Local groups and community organisations can now apply for a share of $500,000 through the NSW Government’s Stronger Together Festival and Event Grants Program. Learn more
FENCING TO COMMENCE AT NEWEST REWILDING SITE: ‘Nungatta’ site in South-East Forest National Park near Bombala is one step closer to welcoming locally extinct animals into the safe haven, with the NSW Government commencing fence construction soon. Learn more
PROTECTING PORT MACQUARIE AND KEMPSEY KOALAS: Koalas will be better protected from threats in the Port Macquarie and Kempsey region thanks to a $1.25 million investment through the NSW Government's NSW Koala Strategy. Learn more
WORLD FOOD MARKETS FOR NORTHERN BEACHES: Locals and visitors will enjoy international food and live music under the stars from 5pm to 9pm on Friday nights from 14 October to 24 February 2023 at four locations on Sydney's Northern Beaches. 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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