NSW VISITOR ECONOMY LEADS THE NATION 

NSW has triumphed as Australia’s number one destination, with domestic and international visitors delivering almost $42 billion in expenditure to the state’s visitor economy in the year ending December 2022.

The latest Tourism Research Australia (TRA) International Visitor Survey and National Visitor Survey results show NSW led the nation for international visitor numbers, absolute growth and market share. The state also recorded the highest absolute growth nationally in domestic overnight visitors, nights and expenditure.

There were nearly 1.6 million international visitors who stayed 44.2 million nights and spent $5 billion in NSW in the reporting period. The growth in international arrivals was driven largely by travellers visiting family and friends, who stayed nearly three times longer than holidaymakers, plus booming interest in NSW as a travel destination from the United States.

In the year ending December 2022, NSW welcomed 93.8 million domestic overnight and daytrip visitors who spent $36.9 billion, leading Australia and accounting for 30.3 per cent of all visitors and 28.3 per cent of all expenditure.

Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox said NSW was on track to achieve the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 goal of $65 billion in visitor expenditure by 2030.

“NSW is Australia’s leading visitor destination,” Mr Cox said. “From Broken Hill to Lord Howe Island and Byron Bay to Eden, there is a huge appetite to Feel New in NSW.

“These results reflect the contributions by everyone engaged in the visitor economy, from industry stakeholders to local communities, who are helping turbocharge our recovery and return visitor expenditure to almost match pre-COVID-19 levels of $43.3 billion.

“From the magic moments created by sharing local highlights with visiting family and friends to the diverse, world-class experiences and attractions on offer in NSW, our visitor experience is unmatched.”

NSW VISITOR ECONOMY ON TRACK FOR
BIGGEST EASTER SINCE 2019

NSW visitor economy businesses are preparing to celebrate their biggest Easter holiday period since 2019. 

Sydney Airport is forecasting 2.4 million passengers will pass through its terminals from 3-23 April 2023. This represents a 90 per cent recovery compared to the equivalent 21-day Easter holiday peak in 2019, and a 34 per cent increase on passenger volumes during the 2022 Easter holiday period.

Domestic passengers are expected to surpass the 1.5 million mark, a 94 per cent recovery on the equivalent 21-day period in 2019, and a nine per cent increase on the same period in 2022.

On the international side, more than 850,000 passengers are forecast to pass through the T1 international terminal during this period, an 85 per cent recovery on 2019 volumes, and a 126 per cent increase on the same period in 2022.  

Sydney Airport CEO Geoff Culbert said: “The ongoing momentum in the international recovery is exciting, with international passenger volumes forecast to be more than double what they were during Easter 2022.

“Across markets like India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea and Canada we will have more airline capacity in April than we did at any point in 2019. This demonstrates Sydney’s enduring popularity as a destination and the impact of our joint commitment with the NSW Government to the Aviation Attraction Fund.” 

MORE AUSSIES PLAN TO SPEND ON TRAVEL THIS EASTER

Holidaymakers are set to spend more than $9.1 billion on travel this year, up $2 billion on Easter 2022 (up 28 per cent).

Research from the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), in collaboration with Roy Morgan, has revealed approximately 4.6 million Australians (21% of the population aged 18+) plan on taking a holiday over the Easter period – 550,000 more than a year ago.

The average spend on Easter holidays is tipped to be $1920 – up nine per cent on 2022.

ARA CEO Paul Zahra said: “The majority of travel spend will be local – more than 90 percent of the Australians who are holidaying are travelling domestically, so we’re retaining a good portion of this economic stimulation.

“Local retailers in popular holiday destinations will reap the benefits of the resurgence in domestic tourism this year.”

Highlights from the research:

• Australians planning an Easter holiday are set to spend around $6.5 billion on domestic holidays – either in-state or interstate, up around $100 million on a year ago.
• Of the Australians going away this Easter, 61 per cent will travel within their own state, 30 per cent  will go interstate and nine per cent overseas.
• Those aged 18-34 are set to spend an average of $1504 on their Easter holidays and a total of $2.9 billion overall – more than any other age group. The higher overall spend is due to the size of this age group set to go on Easter holidays, at 1.8 million – far higher than any other age group.
• The most spent on holidays are by those aged 65+ at an average cost of $2708. This is mainly due to the average length of their holidays being over 11 nights – longer than any other age group.

NSW MINISTER FOR TOURISM ANNOUNCED  

Premier Chris Minns has announced his government’s first full ministry, with John Graham MLC sworn in by Governor Margaret Beazley AC KC as Minister for Jobs and Tourism.

Mr Graham will also be Minister for Roads, Minister for the Arts and Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy.

Mr Graham has been a member of the NSW Upper House since 2016. He grew up in Albury before moving to Newcastle and graduating from Newcastle High, then completed a Bachelor of Economics at the University of Sydney. Before joining parliament, Mr Graham worked in the higher education sector.

His areas of interest include economic justice and inequality, the environment, education and public libraries. His other interests include reading, walking and cycling, live music and the arts.

TAA NSW CEO and acting CEO of the Accommodation Association Michael Johnson said: "We welcome Mr Graham and congratulate him on his appointment.

"We have worked with Mr Graham over many years through his roles in advocating for live music and revitalising the night-time economy in Sydney. He has a good understanding of the issues facing our sector and we look forward to working with him and his team, particularly in his portfolio of Jobs and Tourism."

CHAMPION REGIONAL NSW AS A
DESTINATION NETWORK BOARD MEMBER    

Destination NSW, on behalf of the Destination Networks, is inviting applications for the position of Board Director for the state’s Destination Networks. 

Not-for-profit companies limited by guarantee, Destination Networks are the champions of the visitor economy in regional NSW, engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders to identify, prioritise and facilitate opportunities for the visitor economy growth of each region. 

The Destination Networks’ primary responsibility is destination management, informed by the Destination Management Plan for each region and the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030.

Applicants for Board Director roles will need to commit to making an effective contribution to Board discussions by attending approximately six meetings a year as well as proactive stakeholder engagement outside the Board meeting schedule. 

Appointments are for three years and will be effective from 1 July 2023. Director appointments will supplement incumbent Directors on each Destination Network Board.

A Board Director Recruitment Package is available that includes the role description, Destination Network map, remuneration, how to apply and the requirements for these positions. To request a Board Director Recruitment Pack, please email recruitment@dnsw.com.au with ‘Destination Network Board Director Recruitment Pack’ in the subject line.

Closing date for applications: 5pm on Monday, 17 April 2023.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY BOOST FOR
CARAVAN & CAMPING INDUSTRY

Travellers are being encouraged to enjoy caravan and camping holidays across regional NSW to support local visitor economies in an amped-up marketing campaign. 

Destination NSW has partnered with the Caravan and Camping Industry Association (CCIA) NSW to extend its Feel More. Live More campaign. The six-week campaign spans TV and digital, including editorial content, which highlights holiday parks that were affected by floods in recent months, but are now open, safe to visit and warmly welcoming visitors. 

In 2021, caravan and camping holidays accounted for 13 million visitor nights for NSW, generating more than $2.1 billion in visitor expenditure. The Caravan and Camping Industry Association NSW represents more than 700 businesses across the state. 

The campaign, supported by Destination NSW has been running in Sydney, northern NSW, southern NSW, the Gold Coast, the ACT and regional Victoria.  

CCIA NSW CEO Lyndel Gray said: “There were more than 3.5 million caravan or camping trips taken in NSW in 2021, which is no surprise when you consider the beauty, freedom and authenticity that this style of travel and accommodation offers. 

“It has been tough for a lot of operators over the last few months, but we’re ready to welcome visitors to our huge range of holiday parks around the state and help people to create memories that will last a lifetime."

Caravan Industry Association of Australia’s Business Conditions Report for January 2023 shows significant growth across the industry. 

The number of annual caravan and camping trips in Australia has overtaken 2019 levels, with 15.1 million trips and 60.1 million visitor nights recorded at the end of 2022.

Caravan Industry Association of Australia CEO Stuart Lamont said: “This is a significant milestone for the industry, as it is the first time that the caravan and camping visitor economy has surpassed 15 million trips and 60 million nights.

“We are really pleased to see the industry continue to track along a positive trend, we know the market is hotting up with increased competition from short-haul international markets and cruising.

"Once again, the industry is up to the challenge with a competitive advantage in its unique ability to adapt its products, services, and experiences to suit varying economic conditions, which will help to sustain its fundamentals and appeal to diverse segments of the market.”

NSW CARAVAN CAMPING HOLIDAY SUPERSHOW

The Caravan Camping Holiday Supershow will be held from 18–23 April 2023 at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Sydney.

The largest event of its kind in NSW, it will feature 260 exhibitors and thousands of products, ranging from caravans to motorhomes, campervans, camper and tent trailers, tents, accessories, holiday parks and destinations. Tickets are available here. 

NSW CELEBRATES ASIA MEGA FAMIL SUCCESS   

Fifty planners and media have enjoyed Sydney and NSW visitor experiences at the Business Events Australia Asia Mega Famil Showcase this week.

Delegates from Greater China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Singapore toured Sydney for three days, kicking off with a welcome event at Taronga Zoo’s Gili Rooftop, followed by a sneak preview of Nura Diya Australia, a new $16 million native wildlife experience funded by the NSW Government.

They also attended a gala dinner aboard luxury yacht The Jackson, toured The Art Gallery of NSW, visited Royal Randwick Racecourse's new flexible entertainment and hosting spaces at the WINX Stand and watched Handa Opera’s Madama Butterfly.

BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith said: “Sydney Harbour provides one of the most stunning backdrops in the world, a stage like no other for our global corporate and incentive clients to motivate and inspire delegates."

Tourism Australia’s Executive General Manager of Commercial and Business Events Australia Robin Mack said: “The purpose of the showcase was to provide international planners from the Asia region with confidence to pitch Australia for their next business event and, based on the feedback I’ve heard so far, we have delivered on this. Already the showcase has generated business leads for Australia, highlighting the real tangible results of our distribution activity.” 

A 12-person Indian delegation also explored Port Stephens and the Hunter Valley, experiencing the diverse culinary and nature offerings, ranging from dolphins, koalas and stunning sand dunes to wine, cheese, chocolate and gin tasting.

Akbar Holidays Director Sajin Nawshad said: “I would recommend the countryside of NSW if we had our guests coming into Sydney for a trip extension. It was pristine and the experiences are outstanding, the hospitality was just brilliant. We will definitely add our experiences to our clients' itineraries."

VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS  

DUBBO WINTER WHISKY FESTIVAL: After a successful inaugural event in 2022, the festival returns to Dubbo from 16-17 June 2023. Learn more

2023 FOUR WINDS MUSIC FESTIVAL: This year's festival will be held from 7-9 April in Bermagui, featuring artists including Jess Hitchcock and Ngaiire performing with the 25-piece Four Winds Festival Orchestra. 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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