Insights - 6 May 2022
No images? Click here
STUNNING NEW SCULPTURE TRAIL OPENS IN
THE SNOWY VALLEYS
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres has officially opened the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail, which features a new and significant series of sculpture collections in the historic towns of Adelong, Batlow, Tumbarumba, the hamlet of Tooma and the vineyards of Courabyra Wines, Johansen Wines and Obsession Wines.
Created by the team behind Sculpture by the Sea at Bondi and Cottesloe in consultation with the Snowy Valleys community, the Snowy Valleys Council and a Local Community Advisory Group, the Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail stretches 100km from Adelong to Tooma.
It currently features more than 20 sculptures by Australian and international artists from Denmark to Japan and South Africa to the Czech Republic. Many of the artists have travelled to stay in the Snowy Valleys for the opening celebrations.
The permanent collection will grow and evolve over the next 14 months to include more than 35 sculptures. Opening celebrations this weekend will include family sculpture making workshops, sculpture tours and opportunities to meet the artists.
The Snowy Valleys Sculpture Trail is funded by the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Package, part of the $4.5 billion bushfire support program created by the Australian and NSW Governments to support bushfire recovery, response and preparedness in NSW.
AQUABUMPS FEELS NEW ON LORD HOWE ISLAND
This week, world-renowned photographer and Aquabumps founder Eugene Tan spotlights Lord Howe Island in his collaboration with Destination NSW.
The NSW Aquabumps series is the latest stunning phase of the NSW Government's ‘Feel New’ campaign, showcasing spectacular destinations across the state, from Byron Bay to Broken Hill, with the images shared globally and locally across social platforms.
Eugene Tan has been travelling around NSW, capturing the seven feelings of the ‘Feel New’ brand: joy, connection, freedom, awe, rejuvenation, belonging and adventure.
“‘Just paradise’ is Lord Howe Island’s tagline, and it’s pretty spot on! It’s hard to believe this tiny tropical island in the middle of the Tasman Sea is a part of our NSW state – just 780 kilometres from Sydney,” Eugene Tan said.
“I also can’t believe I haven’t been here before! It’s so quiet and peaceful - the perfect place to chill, rejuvenate, and feel new.”
QANTAS ANNOUNCES NON-STOP FLIGHTS TO SYDNEY FROM NEW YORK & LONDON
The Qantas Group has announced it will operate non-stop flights to Sydney from cities including New York and London from late 2025.
The airline has ordered 12 Airbus A350-1000s, with the first aircraft arriving in late 2023. The planes will offer passengers a new level of comfort on these direct flights, which will cut up to four hours of total travel time compared with one-stop options today.
Domestically, Qantas has ordered 20 Airbus A321XLRs and 20 A220-300s as its Boeing 737s and 717s are gradually retired.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said: “We have come through the other side of the pandemic a structurally different company. Our domestic market share is higher and the demand for direct international flights is even stronger than it was before COVID."
Premier Dominic Perrottet said: “The decision by Qantas to invest in the world-class aircraft to connect Australia to major global cities such as New York and London is a huge win for the state. This announcement, combined with the recent decision to keep its global headquarters here in NSW, will help create 2500 jobs and generate more than $300 million in local economic benefits.” Learn more
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA EXPANDS ITS FLEET
Virgin Australia Group has unveiled the first phase of its fleet growth program, which will see four new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft introduced to its network from February 2023 and F100 aircraft retired from service and replaced by Boeing 737-700s.
Virgin Australia CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said: “We are on track to return to 100 per cent of pre-COVID domestic capacity by June this year and expect to well exceed those levels by year’s end. This investment in our fleet reflects the increased demand we are experiencing in all parts of Virgin Australia."
NSW SHINES AT SEATRADE CRUISE GLOBAL 2022
The biggest global cruise industry gathering since 2019 - Seatrade Cruise Global 2022 - was held at Miami Beach Convention Center last month.
Thousands of cruise executives, decision makers, thought leaders, suppliers and destinations from 110 countries came together for four days of networking and education.
Port Authority New South Wales Chief Executive Officer & Director Philip Holliday represented the NSW Government at the event and took part in the ‘Australia and New Zealand Regional Developments’ panel discussion. Moderated by Joel Katz (Managing Director, Australasia & Asia, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), panellists included Mr Holliday, Jill Abel (CEO, Australian Cruise Association) and Kevin O’Sullivan (CEO, New Zealand Cruise Association).
The panel explored what the road to recovery looks like and what lies ahead for the 2022-2023 cruising season.
Mr Katz said: “Wherever our Australasian delegation went, we had the same message – the global cruise industry has seen the passion Australians have for cruising and can’t wait to see us back at sea.”
Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison also provided an upbeat video message to help show the world that Australia is once again open for business. Click here to view it.
Destination NSW is a Gold Executive Partner of CLIA and provided resources to assist the Australian Cruise Association in promoting NSW destinations and experiences at the conference. The next Seatrade Cruise Global will be held in Miami from 1-4 May 2023.
FUNDING APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR CROWN RESERVES
The NSW Government is reserving $17 million to upgrade and maintain recreational and tourism facilities on public reserves for community use and enjoyment across the state. Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said: “The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund will support upgrades to facilities used by organisations such as surf lifesaving clubs, showgrounds, scouts and girl guide groups, pony clubs and PCYC. Grant applications are open to Crown land reserve managers including local councils, community groups who use Crown land and all showgrounds.”
WESTERN SYDNEY TO KEEP LIGHTS ON FOR CULTURE UP LATE
The NSW Government has committed more than $1 million to expand the Culture Up Late initiative to Western Sydney and support eight local arts and cultural organisations to keep their doors open late. Bankstown Arts Centre, Blacktown Arts, Campbelltown Arts Centre, Casula Powerhouse, Granville Arts Centre, Penrith Performing and Visual Arts, City of Parramatta Council, and Rouse Hill Estate are participating in Culture Up Late: Western Sydney. Check participating organisations’ websites for individual hours and specific programming. Culture Up Late: Western Sydney will run until June 2022.
NORTHERN RIVERS FLOOD BUSINESS SUPPORT
Businesses in the Northern Rivers affected by the February and March flooding are invited to attend engagement sessions as part of the NSW Northern Rivers Regional Flood Roadshow for Business Support. The sessions offer advice about the packages and support available to flood affected businesses with the opportunity to discuss individual business circumstances one-on-one. Sessions will be held at Kyogle Memorial Hall (9 May), register here; Woodburn Rod n Reel Hotel (10 May), register here; Lismore Heights Sports Club (10 May), register here; Lennox Head Community Centre (11 May), register here; Murwillumbah Services Club (11 May), register here.
2022 NAROOMA OYSTER FESTIVAL
Narooma Oyster Festival kicks off today. The Department of Regional NSW is a premium partner of the festival, which has been celebrating the rock oyster on the shores of Wagonga Inlet for almost 15 years. More than 70,000 oysters were enjoyed at last year's event. The South Coast's fastest shuckers will also go head to head with world champion Stephen Nolan in the Oyster Shucking Championships. Festival chair Cath Peachey said: “The festival record is broken almost every year and currently stands at 30 rock oysters shucked in an astonishing two minutes 59 seconds by NSW South Coast local Gerard ‘Doody’ Dennis in 2021."
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING NETWORK EXTENDS TO BROKEN HILL
Electric vehicles can drive from Sydney to Broken Hill following the final pieces in the network of fast chargers along the Barrier Highway being switched on. Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said chargers at Wilcannia and Cobar formed part of the 20 sites rolling out under a $3 million partnership between the NSW Government and NRMA, delivering the country’s biggest network of EV charging stations.
JT TRAVELS HEADS TO LIGHTNING RIDGE & DUBBO
Lightning Ridge and Dubbo will be showcased on Weekend Sunrise this weekend. Weather presenter James Tobin will visit the regions during JT Travels NSW, a recurring monthly segment created in partnership with Destination NSW. James Tobin will film the weather live from Lightning Ridge on 7 May and Dubbo on 8 May 2022. Weekend Sunrise is one of Australia’s highest rating national breakfast programs.
AUSTRALIAN FASHION WEEK LAUNCHES
Afterpay Australian Fashion Week (AAFW) kicks off on 9 May 2022, live at Carriageworks in Sydney and virtually at AAFW.com.au. Destination NSW is a proud supporter of Australia’s only international fashion trade event, which attracts more than 18,000 attendees and participants, including international media, industry, consumers, talent, crew and international buyers. This year, AAFW will begin with a Welcome to Country produced by First Nations Fashion + Design, followed by 50 live runway shows and presentations.
HARBOUR HERITAGE GEM SET FOR URBAN RENEWAL
A new harbourside park, thriving commercial precinct and residential community will breathe new life into one of Sydney’s most anticipated urban renewal projects: Bays West. Residents are encouraged to help shape the future of Bays West, by having their say on the Stage One draft Master Plan, which is currently on exhibition for four weeks, with submissions closing on 31 May 2022. Up to 250 dwellings including affordable housing are included in the draft master plan, with the final mix of uses to be determined during the rezoning process.
BOOKINGS SOAR FOR MOTHER'S DAY
After two years of restrictions, families will gather for Mother's Day celebrations this weekend. Bookings platform Open Table data shows growth of 35 per cent in reservations in Sydney alone compared to 2019. Australians will also spend $754 million on Mother’s Day gifts according to research from the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and Roy Morgan. ARA CEO Paul Zahra said: “Despite ongoing cost of living pressures, retail sales remain strong in Australia and continue to be spurred along by key retail events."
FIFA DELEGATION TOURS STADIUM AUSTRALIA
Sydney was the first stop for a FIFA delegation on a mission to meet with sport and government stakeholders in the nine host cities of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand 2023. FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura, Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox, Office of Sport CEO Karen Jones and VenuesLive Managing Director Daryl Kerry toured Stadium Australia, which will be the centrepiece of the tournament, hosting the Final and opening game, thanks to support from Destination NSW.
SYDNEY ICON BECOMES NEW HOME OF ARIAS
The Hordern Pavilion will host the 2022 ARIA Awards in November 2022. NSW Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport, and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said: “The NSW Government is proud to partner with ARIA in this fantastic annual celebration of Australian music and I am particularly excited to see The Hordern Pavilion, a landmark Sydney live music venue, provide another perfect backdrop for this year’s event."
NATIONAL TOUCH LEAGUE KICKS OFF
Teams from across the country have gathered in Coffs Harbour this week to vie to be crowned Inferno National Touch League 2022 National Champions. Due to disruptions caused by the pandemic, Touch Football Australia has expanded the 2022 tournament, with 17 divisions on offer including a 20s division, with 127 teams competing. The event is proudly supported by Destination NSW and is being held from 4-7 May 2022 at C.ex Coffs International Stadium.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
FUNDING TO HELP SPORTS RECOVER FROM FLOODS: The NSW Government has announced a $55 million Sport Infrastructure Recovery Fund to help sporting organisations impacted by flooding in February and March get back in the game. Read more
APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR FINE FOOD AUSTRALIA SUBSIDY: Expressions of interest are open for emerging food and beverage manufacturers across the state to join the Flavours of NSW showcase at the Fine Food Australia 2022 trade show in September. Read more
DIGITAL TICKET LOTTERY FOR MARY POPPINS OPENS: A limited number of $45 tickets are available for purchase to every performance of the musical. Mary Poppins is supported by Destination NSW and opens at the Sydney Lyric Theatre on 15 May 2022. Read more
CEREMONY MARKS RETURN OF BULAGARANDA (MT YARROWYCK) TO ABORIGINAL OWNERS: Aboriginal owners are celebrating the return of almost 600 hectares of land west of Armidale under a joint management agreement with the NSW Government. Read more
CRUISING GUIDELINES ANNOUNCED FOR WA: Small cruise ships with a maximum of 350 persons are currently permitted to enter Western Australia (WA). Pending health advice, larger cruise ships will be permitted from 1 October 2022. WA guidelines are closely aligned, but not identical to, the Eastern Seaboard Cruise Protocols. Read more
FOLLOW DESTINATION NSW ON LINKEDIN: Stay up to date with all the latest Destination NSW initiatives by following us on LinkedIn. Click here
DID YOU ENJOY THIS NEWSLETTER? Forward it to colleagues and friends so they can subscribe too. Was this issue forwarded to you? Click here to sign up
