NSW VISITOR ECONOMY FORUM SECURES GOOGLE LEADERGoogle Head of Data and Analytics Max Kaye has joined the line-up for the NSW Visitor Economy Forum – Building Momentum to 2030 on 5 October at the ICC Sydney. Max will share insights from the global heart of technology and innovation and offer participants practical tips on how they can harness the power of data and analytics to identify new opportunities and grow their business. Max will explain the latest generation of Artificial Intelligence technologies and explore how they can empower and interact with visitors and enhance a
traveller’s experience. His experience working with some of Google’s biggest customers in Australia and Asia over the past 20 years has provided Max with insights into human behaviour modelling and predictions so businesses, governments and organisations can understand and predict customer needs for product and service development. This also translates into a deep understanding of customer insights, risk management, climate risk modelling and logistics optimisation, all of which contribute to efficient and effective operations for any organisation. Max not only understands the nuances between large- and small-scale businesses and the broader technology operating environment for cities and regional areas but he is also passionate
about helping others to take advantage of technologies and enabling data as a key player in decision making. Come and hear from Max - and other experts and visitor economy leaders - at the NSW Visitor Economy Forum. It is free to attend, but places are limited, so please register today.
SECURE YOUR SESSION AT THE VISITOR ECONOMY FORUMFollowing keynote presentations about the trends and programs that will drive visitor economy growth, NSW Visitor Economy Forum participants will have the opportunity to deep-dive into specialised sessions relating to visitor experience design and delivery. Forum participants will have the opportunity to attend three concurrent break-out sessions led by subject matter experts. The session themes align with the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030’s strategic pillar – Showcase our Strengths – and tap into the
zeitgeist of what is driving visitation, extending stays and increasing expenditure. Programming across the three concurrent sessions includes: Session 1: Embedding sustainability and telling the story; The LGBTQIA + visitor experience; Aboriginal culture and the visitor experience; Public relations and earned media; and The value of business events to the visitor economy. Session 2: Reconnect in nature-leveraging NSW assets; Accessible and inclusive travel; Creative industries and the 24-hour economy; World-class experience development; and Connecting through culinary experiences. Session 3: Embracing the wellness travel opportunity; World-class experience
development; Creative industries and the 24-hour economy; Public relations and earned media; and Agritourism opportunity for NSW. Forum attendees need to pre-book their preferred sessions.
PREMIUM NEW YEAR'S EVE VANTAGE POINTS NOW
FREE FOR PUBLIC VIEWINGSites owned by the NSW Government around the Sydney Harbour foreshore will be free for the public this New Year’s Eve, fulfilling an election commitment. The announcement comes as six thousand front row positions for the world-famous fireworks atop the Cahill Expressway go up for grabs from Tuesday with the launch of a free ticket ballot. The move will allow more than 60,000 Sydneysiders and visitors to once again access some of the harbour’s best vantage points free of charge. The Government is making fireworks viewing free again across Barangaroo Reserve, West Circular Quay (including First Fleet Park), Campbells Cove, Hickson Road Reserve and locations in
the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney and The Domain, including Mrs Macquarie’s Point. Tickets at these locations last year ranged in price from $12.50 to $520. Most of these vantage points will operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with monitored capacity limits in place. Each vantage point will be closed once capacity is reached.
THE VALUE OF TOURISM TO SYDNEY SURROUNDS NORTHEvery minute of every day tourism delivers $9359 of domestic visitor spend into Sydney Surrounds North. That is more than $13.5 million per day, a value that grew by 58.8 per cent in 2022. Destination NSW's 'Value of Tourism to Sydney Surrounds North 2022' report shows the number of domestic visitors to the Destination Network was 15.7 million who spent more than $4.9 billion. The top LGA for domestic visitors in Sydney Surrounds North was the Central Coast (4.623 million), followed by Newcastle (4.137
million). The most popular activities for domestic overnight visitors were eating out/dining at a restaurant and/or cafe (55 per cent); visiting friends and relatives (40 per cent), going to the beach (34 per cent) visiting pubs, clubs, discos (23 per cent); sightseeing (20 per cent). In 2022, the Sydney Surrounds North Destination Network secured events that delivered $255 million worth of domestic visitor expenditure into the state. They included Sail Port Stephens, NSW Pro Surf Series, Surfest and Newcastle Food Month. Part of a 'Value of Tourism' Series.
AVIATION GREEN PAPER OPEN FOR FEEDBACKThe Commonwealth Government has taken the next step towards reforming Australia's aviation sector, this week releasing the Aviation Green Paper and calling for community and industry feedback. Consultation on this document will contribute to the development of the Aviation White Paper which will set the policy direction for the aviation sector out to 2050. The aim is to deliver a more competitive aviation sector, secure Australian jobs, develop stronger consumer protections, improve accessibility and transition the industry to net zero emissions. Industry, including the Australian Airports Association, welcomed the release of the paper. Submissions are open
until 30 November 2023.
SXSW SYDNEY SCREEN FESTIVAL SHORTS SXSW Sydney has announced the 33 short films for the Shorts Program of the ever-growing SXSW Sydney 2023 Screen Festival, which features everything from red carpet premieres to feature films, series, music videos and an XR showcase. The short films aim to ignite the Harbour City through visual storytelling and provide a platform for Asian, Australian, First Nations and LGBTQI+ voices. Opening with a red carpet premiere of Kitty Green’s The Royal Hotel, the event will also include the world premiere of Sally Aitken’s Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles. Badges and wristbands to SXSW Sydney events are available here. Destination NSW is a proud partner of SXSW Sydney being held from 15-22 October 2023.
ABORIGINAL SMALL BUSINESS EVENTSThe Aboriginal Business Advisory Initiative (ABAI) has three upcoming events for NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned small businesses: Build your Aboriginal tourism business (20 September in Tweed Heads); Supporting Aboriginal
business in NSW (27 September - online) and How to start a business in NSW (27 September in Redfern). ABAI can also connect business customers with local Aboriginal business advisors for free one-on-one coaching and advice, either face-to-face or on the phone.
MARGAN TRIUMPHS AT HUNTER WINE SHOWMargan Family Wines won four trophies at the 2023 Hunter Valley Wine Show for its Margan 2019 Fordwich Hill Shiraz. The Shiraz was crowned best red wine of the show, best Shiraz, best mature and three-year-old and older Shiraz and best single-vineyard red. The show's best white wine went to Tyrrell's 2013 Vat1 Semillon, which also won best two-year-old and older Semillon and best Semillon. Trophies were presented during a Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association event at Pokolbin Oaks Cyress Lakes Resort.
BUSINESS CONFIDENCE JUMPS IN NSWIn August 2023 Roy Morgan Business Confidence was 94.7 (up 7.2pts since July). This is the highest Business Confidence for six months since February 2023 and the first increase in the index since the traditional ‘new year’s jump’ in January. The Business Confidence survey was conducted after the RBA left interest rates unchanged for a second straight month in August at 4.1 per cent and after the ABS showed official inflation figures falling
rapidly during the June quarter 2023, down one per cent point to six per cent. Business Confidence is highest in NSW and Tasmania.
CONSUMER CONFIDENCE RISES The ANZ-Roy Morgan NZ Consumer Confidence Report shows consumer confidence was up 0.6pts to 78.7 this week. ANZ Senior Economist Adelaide Timbrell said: "The encouraging July monthly CPI indicator print, which showed falling annual inflation, likely supported the increase in confidence. In particular, government rebates which reduced the net price increase of electricity from 19.2% m/m to 6% m/m may have helped household financial confidence. The start of what we think is an extended pause from the RBA could also be flowing through."
INBOUND TRAVEL BOOSTS ECONOMYFigures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the economy grew 0.4 per cent during the June quarter 2023 and 3.4 per cent in annual terms. This was the seventh successive quarter of economic growth. Travel exports were at 88 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. Exports of travel services rose 18.5 per cent as the number of visitors arriving from China increased.
ARIVAL CONDUCTS TRAVEL SURVEYGlobal tours, activities and attractions research firm Arival is conducting an industry survey for operators in Australia and New Zealand markets. Its goals are to track the industry’s recovery, identify key trends in products, distribution, tech and more, and develop key benchmarks to help visitor economy businesses plan for the future.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SPENDING SURGESFigures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics show international student spending on tuition fees, accommodation, travel, recreation and other living costs within Australia was worth a record $21.3 billion from January to June this year. During the period, 622,000 international students were studying onshore in Australia, 29 per cent more than in the same period last year. On 1 June 2023, NSW had 203,295 enrolled international students. The majority were from China (60,183), followed by Nepal (34,626) and India (28,164).
SHARE YOUR NEWS WITH DESTINATION NSWThe Destination NSW PR team is seeking news from visitor economy stakeholders to help spread the word about the many reasons to visit NSW. They want to hear about the new experiences your business, organisation or destination is offering - anything from nature-based activities to luxury stays, seasonal attractions, foodie finds or local favourites. The information will be used to create media pitches, produce content on the Destination NSW Media Centre and support planning of media familiarisations and media hosting opportunities.
POWERHOUSE ULTIMO TO BE REVITALISED The NSW Government has committed $250 million to a heritage revitalisation of the Powerhouse Museum Ultimo. Consultation with current staff as well as the arts and culture sector, business and creative industries groups, the education sector, peak bodies, expert advisors, local communities and the public will be undertaken on the details and timing of the redevelopment. Minister for Arts John Graham said: This prudent investment allows us to save the Powerhouse Museum at Ultimo and preserve its legacy in a tough fiscal environment."
ACCI WELCOMES AIR SERVICE INQUIRYThe Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) said the business and the tourism industry welcomed the inquiry into Australia’s bilateral air service agreements. The inquiry will examine the decision not to allow Qatar Airways to expand its services, as well as the economic impact and other ramifications. ACCI chief executive officer Andrew McKellar said: "The tourism industry is still rebuilding from the pandemic. We are keen to work with the government to increase the number of international flights into Australia."
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS FUNDING TO ENSURE DISASTER RECOVERY AND PREPAREDNESS: The NSW Government is committing $115 million to properly resource the NSW Reconstruction Authority and better ensure NSW communities are prepared for natural disasters and can recover faster. Learn more BORING BREAKTHROUGH FOR WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT TERMINAL STATION: Boring machine TBM Peggy has smashed through at the future Airport Terminal station in a major milestone for the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project. Learn more NEW REPORT SHOWS CRUISE INDUSTRY ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRESS: Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has released its 2023 Global Cruise Industry Environmental Technologies and Practices Report, showing progress by the sector in advancing its environmental and sustainability agenda. Learn more
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