Insights - 24 February 2023
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NEW DESTINATION MANAGEMENT PLANS
UNVEILED TO GROW REGIONAL VISITATION
Destination NSW has released a series of roadmaps to foster the growth of the state’s regional visitor economy through to 2030.
Representatives from the seven Destination Networks - Cameron Arnold at Destination North Coast, Clyde Thomson at Destination Country and Outback NSW, Kate Shilling at Destination Riverina Murray, David Fellows at Destination Sydney Surrounds North, Catherine Shields at Destination Sydney Surrounds South, Janette Davie at Destination Central West and Richard Beere at Destination Southern NSW - joined together to unveil their Destination Management Plans (DMPs).
The DMPs highlight the unique strengths of each region and include targeted actions for government and industry collaboration to facilitate increased visitation and visitor spend.
They were developed by the Destination Networks in consultation with businesses, community stakeholders and government agencies.
The new DMPs recognise the strategic context of the state’s Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 and will pave the way for regional NSW to meet the targets within the strategy.
The Visitor Economy Strategy aims for NSW to become the premier visitor economy of the Asia Pacific by 2030, delivering $65 billion in visitor expenditure for the state annually. It is expected that overnight visitation to regional NSW will contribute $25 billion of that economic activity.
Each DMP outlines the region’s target markets and visitor profiles, research insights, strategic objectives, unique positioning and key infrastructure projects that have the potential to influence the visitor economy.
Destination Networks were established by the NSW Government in 2016 to improve regional stakeholder engagement and better support the visitor economy of regional NSW. The NSW Government has also extended funding for the seven Destination Networks for another three years through to 2026.
Learn more about the Destination Networks here.
INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS BOUNCE BACK
ONE YEAR AFTER BORDER REOPENING
This week marked the one-year anniversary of welcoming international visitors back to NSW for the first time in 704 days.
The visitor economy continues to race forward on the road to recovery. A total of 3,120,000 passengers passed through Sydney Airport in January 2023, representing a 78.8 per cent recovery compared to pre-COVID-19 January 2019.
Domestic passenger traffic totalled 1,887,000 in January 2023 - an 82.4 per cent recovery compared to January 2019 - while there were 1,233,000 international passengers who passed through the airport in January 2023, representing a 73.9 per cent recovery on January 2019 passenger traffic.
International arrival numbers are expected to keep growing as aviation capacity increases, with Tourism Research Australia projecting international visitor expenditure to exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2024 and international visitor arrivals to exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2025.
The visitor economy, including long-stay international students, was Australia’s fourth largest export sector before the COVID-19 pandemic. It was worth $166 billion annually to the economy.
TOP 10 NATIONS PASSING THROUGH
SYDNEY AIRPORT - JANUARY 2023
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United States
- United Kingdom
- India
- South Korea
- China
- Philippines
- Canada
- Indonesia
SYDNEY CELEBRATES WORLDPRIDE
It has been a vibrant start to Sydney WorldPride, with highlights including the lighting of the Sydney Opera House sails, Mardi Gras Fair Day and the Pink Salt dinner in Newcastle.
Destination NSW is proud to be a strategic partner, investor and the lead government agency helping to coordinate Sydney WorldPride 2023, which includes more than 300 free and ticketed events over 17 days.
More than 500,000 attendees are expected across all events, with 78,000 visitors enjoying the event in person and millions of supporters following the celebrations around the world.
Sydney WorldPride’s Live and Proud opening concert is being held in The Domain tonight, featuring pop princess Kylie Minogue, Charli XCX, and Jessica Mauboy. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade will return tomorrow to its home on Oxford Street for the first time in three years.
AUSTRALIA TRIUMPHS AT THE WORLD ATHLETICS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
More than 400 athletes from 45 teams descended on Bathurst from 17–19 February 2023 for the World Athletics Cross Country Championships.
The event brought thousands of visitors into regional NSW, boosting expenditure at hotels, restaurants and small businesses.
Australia clinched a medal at the event, with Ollie Hoare, Jessica Hull, Stewart McSweyn and Abbey Caldwell claiming a historic bronze in the mixed relay behind Kenya and Ethiopia.
Mr McSweyn said: "To compete with the powerhouses of Ethiopia and Kenya hopefully puts Australia on the world map, that maybe we are part of the big three of distance running now."
It was the first time that Australia has hosted the World Athletics Cross Country Championships, secured as part of Destination NSW's 10 World Cups in 10 Years initiative.
Accelerated investment in signature sporting events such as the 10 World Cups helps to position Sydney and NSW as the major events capital of the Asia-Pacific and achieve the Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 goal of $65 billion in visitor expenditure.
DIGITAL SKILLS ACCELERATOR PROGRAM
Greater Sydney visitor economy businesses seeking to transform their online marketing have been invited to participate in the Destination NSW Digital Skills Accelerator for Tourism program. Offered in partnership with digital consultancy Tourism Tribe, the free program includes a customised digital health check report and Australian Tourism Data Warehouse review, two consultation sessions with a digital advisor and access to a course library. The program commences in March 2023 and is open to businesses in Sydney’s Eastern Harbour City, Central River City and Western Parklands City.
STRONG 2022 RESULTS FOR CARAVAN INDUSTRY
Caravan Industry Association of Australia has released the sector’s 2022 manufacturing and import numbers with nearly 50,000 new caravan registrations recorded to market. Locally produced units reached 28,031 (up 17.1 per cent from 2021) and when combined with imported product (20,498 up 8.36 per cent), is the highest ever rate of new caravans entering the Australian market. Caravan Industry Association of Australia CEO Stuart Lamont said the boom could be directly attributed to strong domestic demand for caravanning and the desire to reconnect with our beautiful country.
SYDNEY NAMED BEST CRUISE PORT
Sydney has claimed Cruise Passenger Magazine’s 2022 Readers' Choice Award for Best Port, the fourth time it has taken out the top spot. More than 6500 readers voted in the awards. The magazine said: "Whether you’re a local, from interstate or an international visitor or a ship’s captain, sailing in or out of Sydney Harbour is always a high point of any cruise."
DESTINATION SOUTHERN NSW SEEKS GM
Destination Southern NSW has opened applications for the position of General Manager. The role is an opportunity to make a difference, be a champion of the Southern NSW visitor economy and play an important role in delivering regional funding and industry development programs and in identifying infrastructure needs and investment opportunities.
MULTI-DAY WALK OPENS ON SOUTH COAST
The newest NSW Great Walk is officially ready to welcome walkers who want to enjoy the beauty of the South Coast’s Murramarang National Park. Starting just north of Batemans Bay at Pretty Beach, the 34km, three-day walk has overnight stops at five beachside campgrounds. The $3.64 million Murramarang South Coast Walk project was funded through Restart NSW's Regional Growth – Environment and Tourism Fund.
SUPERCARS LAUNCHES 2023 SEASON
Repco Supercars Championship 2023 hosted its season launch this week ahead of the Newcastle 500 from 10-12 March 2023. Supercars CEO Shane Howard said: “With the Camaro vs Mustang debut, the return of the Penrite Oil Sandown 500 and the Repco Bathurst 1000 celebrating its 60th anniversary, 2023 is shaping as one of the most exciting in the history of our sport." Supercars is supported by Destination NSW.
TOP TOURISM TOWN NOMINATIONS OPEN
NSW Tourism Industry Council is calling for towns across NSW to enter the Top Tourism Town Awards 2023. Towns can enter under three categories: Tiny Tourism Town, Small Tourism Town and Top Tourism Town. Winners go on to compete at the National Awards. Last year’s NSW representative winners were Mudgee (Top Tourism Town), Berry (Small Tourism Town), and Carcoar (Tiny Tourism Town), with Mudgee taking out Australia’s Top Tourism Town category for the second year in a row.
LOCAL HIGH STREET REFORMS
A scheme used around the world to help high streets flourish and town centres thrive - Business Improvement Districts - will be trialled as part of an Australian-first $2.75 million Transport for NSW pilot program. Business Western Sydney Executive Director David Borger said: “We want to see business communities from our CBDs to the local high street in the suburbs given the tools and structure to invest in local amenities and improvements that will drive more business and create jobs.”
CALDERA WALK MASTER PLAN
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has proposed a new walk in the Wollumbin National Park, with a master plan on public exhibition until 27 February. The Caldera Rim Walk Draft Master Plan provides overarching concepts for the proposed 8km (return) half-day bushwalk and associated facilities in Wollumbin National Park. The draft master plan also suggests possible future options to extend the walk. The Caldera Walk Master Plan is on exhibition until 27 February 2023.
FINISHING TOUCHES AT NORTH HEAD
Finishing touches are underway at Sydney Harbour National Park's North Head ahead of its full reopening. It features two new lookouts, improvements to walking tracks and thousands of new plants and green space. The new lookouts were co-designed by Manly architects CHROFI and Aboriginal design company Bangawarra and reflect the site’s traditional use as a gathering place for ceremonies and teaching. About half a million people visit North Head every year.
$100 MILLION UPGRADE TO QANTAS LOUNGES
Qantas has announced an extensive upgrade program of its existing international and domestic lounges, including a new First Lounge at London’s Heathrow Airport, the re-opening of a refreshed Hong Kong International Lounge and a complete refurbishment and expansion of its International Business Lounge in Sydney. Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said: “London is one of the most important destinations on our network and it’s the perfect location for a First Lounge, especially with our direct Project Sunrise flights on the way."
QANTAS GROUP RETURNS TO PROFIT
After three years and $7 billion in statutory losses due to the pandemic, the Qantas Group has returned to profit with a record result for the first half of FY23. The Group earned $1.43 billion underlying profit before tax to 31 December 2022, which is 49 per cent higher than the prior first half record result achieved in FY18. Statutory profit after tax was $1 billion. Qantas reported the drivers of this result were consistently strong travel demand, higher yields and cost improvements from the Group’s $1 billion recovery program that is nearing completion.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
ATLASSIAN'S AMY GLANCEY JOINS BUSINESS EVENTS SYDNEY (BESYDNEY_ BOARD: BESydney has welcomed a new Independent Director, Amy Glancey, to its Board. Ms Glancey has been Chief of Staff at Atlassian since 2018. Learn more
SYDNEY’S NEW REWILDING SITE WELCOMES BACK LOCALLY-EXTINCT SPECIES: For the first time in more than 100 years, eastern bettongs will be back in NSW when they are reintroduced to Sydney’s first feral predator-free national park. Learn more
NEW HOME FOR WOMEN’S SPORT IN NSW: Sydney will cement itself as the home of women’s AFL and Rugby League with the Showring Oval at Moore Park one step closer to Centre of Excellence, thanks to a $15 million grant from the Office of Sport. Learn more
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