Tourism and Events Industry News
Destination NSW’s industry bulletin, Insights, is distributed to more than 3,000 registered contacts across the state. Information on Destination NSW marketing campaigns, events, development opportunities, research and general news within the industry is captured in the bulletin.
Subscribe to Insights and have the latest NSW tourism and events industry news emailed to you each week.
July 2020 editions onward are available in the table below.
Previous editions
Insights January - June 2020 | Insights July - December 2020
Insights January - June 2019 | Insights July - December 2019
Insights January - June 2018 | Insights July - December 2018
Insights January - June 2017 | Insights July - December 2017
Most recent editions (January - June 2021)
| Issue | Articles |
|---|---|
| 14 May 2021 | Federal Budget delivers on job creation and economic growth One million reasons to smile about FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup International students set to bolster NSW tourism and hospitality sectors Last chance to vote for NSW’s Top Tourism Town Business Events Sydney signs as host city partner for Get Local Showcase New life in the sun for lady of the harbour Virgin Australia Group updates short-haul international network Qantas Supermoon Scenic Flight sell out Point Group to open four hospitality venues in CBD’s Shell House Registrations open for DSSS Visitor Economy Symposium 2021 |
| 7 May 2021 | Sydney to burst into bloom with Fleurs de Villes at the Royal Botanic Garden this spring Flying kangaroo to stay in premier state Recent changes to COVID-19 restrictions Applications for Tourism Industry Marketing Support Program closing soon Australia’s longest road tunnel proposed for Great Western Highway Sky’s the limit – drones key in flood recovery effort Byron Bay Triathlon back for 25th year Ramping up bike use on Sydney Harbour Bridge 2021 Narooma Oyster Festival a sold-out success First ever top tourism towns revealed - voting now open Creative take on NSW road trips in Australian Traveller Intercontinental Parramatta to become Greater Western Sydney’s home of luxury travel Jobs boom takes off in the Hunter with Newcastle Airport investment New campaign to urge Australians to take epic holiday Austrade announces Round Two application details Pie Time 2021 – out of the oven and onto the plate Health sector key to business events recovery Have your say on small business support An extra $25 million for Australia’s creative sector to rise |
| 30 April 2021 | Countdown is on for Vivid Sydney 2021 Netball World Cup 2027 returns to Sydney QantasLink announces more flights into regional NSW NSW Government’s Regional Job Creation Fund boosting jobs in the bush Dubbo unveils $3.5m riverside event precinct Small and medium businesses take priority for flood repair work The Hunter Valley’s iconic Wine & Food Festival returns in 2021 Free hospitality training at NSW clubs Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 schedule released Water to return to Lake Menindee after five years Local musicians supported in global event More than $15 million to revitalise NSW high streets Doors to Newcastle’s first five-star hotel to open in June Shellharbour Marina operator announced Gold for Brix Gold NSW shines in delicious. Harvey Norman Produce Awards Tickets on sale for Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella Perfect Plate Awards serve up the best in club dining |
| 27 April 2021 | $5.5 million boost for Sydney and NSW business events now available Applications open for $1 million Tourism Industry Marketing Support Grants |
| 23 April 2021 | Mad Max prequel to be filmed in NSW Australian premiere of Jagged Little Pill to open Sydney’s refurbished Theatre Royal NZ encouraged to make every moment count in Sydney and New South Wales Sydney CBD summit turbocharges recovery Regional NSW to host Travelling Film Festival Mid-week is the new weekend in NSW National Parks Sydney Opera House new virtual site famil The faces behind Shoalhaven’s rebuild to feature in new television series Fans delight at successful pro surf event return to North Narrabeen Aboriginal cultural tour and experience joins YCK $5 million performing arts boost for regions Calls for locations of next underwater oasis off NSW coast Countdown to 2021 Harvest Food Trail |
| 16 April 2021 | Final piece of scenic harbour foreshore walk now open Last call for applications - $24 million Live Music Support package closing Monday Sydney arts and culture continues to stay up late Airlines announce growth plans in line with domestic demand and Trans-Tasman opportunity Government support for the $1.6 billion NSW wine industry Destination NSW executive team update, GM Consumer Marketing appointed Last chance to see Camping Holiday Supershow this weekend Additional funding to support travel agents More than $2.3 million for councils to manage their coastlines Northern Beaches & Western Sydney showcased via Destination NSW campaign Vale Colin Waller North Coast Tourism Symposium and gala dinner New cellar door in Bungendore Small business rebate scheme kicks off |
| 9 April 2021 | Quarantine-free Trans-Tasman travel confirmed Sydney racing leads mega month of events across the Harbour City in April Justin Hemmes snaps up South Coast venue Vale Carla Zampatti AC Destination NSW’s The Long Road series drives returns for visitor economy New framework taps into seniors’ creativity for well-being Road network restoration underway following floods NSW to modernise heritage protections New food and wine festival to hit Sydney’s Northern Beaches All aboard for makeover of Inner West train stations $15.1m Federal support for 2021 Sydney Royal Easter Show $4.8m to digitise planning in regional NSW Bushfire recovery video launched for Sapphire Coast Popular travelogue to showcase NSW in Japan Nominations are now open for the Caravan Industry Association Awards |
| 1 April 2021 | Sydney scores with FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ final Sydney ready to scale new heights in 2021 NSW open for business with new agency Investment NSW leading the way Hamilton opening a defining moment for Sydney Narooma Oyster Festival is back for 2021 Tourism plan to reshape Newcastle’s visitor economy Qantas mystery flight passengers enjoy indulgent Orange tour First Nations fashion and design joins Afterpay Australian Fashion Week 2021 Sydney Royal Easter Show 2021 now underway Newcastle set for blockbuster week of world-class surfing Australian Rowing Championships set to return to Sydney in 2022 and 2024 New koala species discovered in Bundanoon Community Recovery Centres open on the NSW Mid North Coast New Inner West Ale Trail launches YCK Laneways Block Party to launch New Sydney Football Stadium construction milestone reached Stronger protections for North Coast koalas |
| 26 March 2021 | NSW pumps-up the volume with package to support accommodation, live music and events Response and recovery for NSW communities affected by floods New event Sydney Solstice to spark city celebration this winter COVID-19 restrictions to ease but compliance must increase World Time Attack Challenge is back, under lights Calling all NSW wine stars Broken Hill Mundi Mundi bash hottest ticket in town New rebate scheme to support small businesses Australian premiere of Cinderella a real-life fairytale for Sydney More support for Australian travel agents announced A future vision for Bays West Night works – jobs for the 24-hour economy NSW on show at Get Local Expo Tradies without borders A new zebra foal for Mogo Wildlife Park 57 best bars in Sydney right now |
| 22 March 2021 - Message from Destination NSW | Storms and floods hit NSW Support for NSW communities affected by floods |
| 19 March 2021 | Lights on for Hamilton in the greatest city in the world Dine & Discover NSW goes live statewide $12 million marketing boost for tourism operators Hollywood star heads to the Blue Mountains Sydney Opera House to come alive with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera Last call for NSW’s Top Tourism Town La Traviata returns to the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour stage New city at Aerotropolis to be named ‘Bradfield’ Qantas launches new routes ahead of 2021 ski season Western Sydney to host 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships NSW tourism operators invited to benefit from Tripadvisor partnership $4m funding injection for Sydney’s parklands Regional tour for iconic locomotive 3801 More trees in Greater Sydney |
| 12 March 2021 | Regional NSW secures biggest music event for Outback NSW New Destination NSW Chair appointed to lead visitor economy recovery and growth Federal Government announces $1.2 billion tourism support package Destination NSW’s new Media Centre delivers on all content and publishing needs NSW Government takes exciting step forward in agritourism 2021 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival launched in world-class style LGBTQI+ communities rise for historic Mardi Gras Parade New investment arm to accelerate NSW economy and jobs The Morning Show takes on Mighty Murray Drive Vivid Sydney Festival Director appointed Katoomba Falls Reserve opens night walk 2021 Australian Tourism Exchange applications closing soon Heated splash park opens at Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley South Jerrabomberra home to new jobs precinct Dine & Discover webinar for businesses NSW Government delivers Koala SEPP 2021 |
| 5 March 2021 | Cause to celebrate as Sydney and NSW shine Boosted confidence in the return of face-to-face events Destination NSW and NRMA promote safe NSW road trips these April school holidays NSW Government supports WorldPride 2023 Curtis Stone celebrates NSW food and wine with media Tourism Australia lures Aussies back to cities New marketing campaign for Batemans Bay Latest data reveals Sydney is leading nation’s COVID recovery Qantas gets going to Griffith Broken Hill – It’s Out There, once again Funding boost for councils to engage youth New Small Business Reference Group Grants to entice more people to move to Newcastle Grow your business with help from the JobMaker Hiring Credit Tourism businesses to grow with Google Fashion Week’s Next Gen winners announced |
| 26 February 2021 | Nominations open for NSW’s 2021 Top Tourism Town Awards $20 million Regional Events Acceleration Fund now open Four NSW destinations feature in Wotif’s top 10 for 2021 NSW operators join Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences Positive economic signs as confidence returns to NSW Phase two of Dine & Discover commences New Batemans Bay Bridge to welcome traffic within weeks Coffs Harbour to host iconic rally championship New opportunities for NSW operators to sell online $40 million Indigenous Tourism Fund to assist recovery Bushfire biodiversity recovery Retreat to Byron Bay Experiencing the great outdoors |
| 19 February 2021 | New passenger terminal at Shellharbour Airport, Qantas adds North Coast routes ahead of school holidays NSW secures second Surfing World Championship Tour event Superstar Mardi Gras line up announced – festival kicks off across Greater Sydney NSW Government turns the beat up with $1 million for live performance Parramatta presses ahead with Powerhouse approval 2021 Australian Tourism Exchange bound for Sydney Aboriginal students to benefit from fine dining training Attractions and hospitality businesses called to join Dine & Discover $16.5 million for more green space Designers offered a leg-up for fashion week Royal Caribbean and Taronga Zoo join forces Degustation in the Highlands New experience at Firescreek Winery Green light for $1 billion Metro town centre New additions for Belisi Wellbeing & Equestrian Centre SIGGRAPH Asia announces Sydney as host city |
| 16 February 2021 | $3 million boost for the regional NSW visitor economy $2.5 million campaign puts spotlight on Greater Sydney Funding boost to help regional business events bounce back |
| 12 February 2021 | Dine & Discover launches, Sydney restrictions relaxed Best of NSW showcased through new food and lifestyle program Three Blue Ducks Night-time expert to lead NSW’s 24-hour economy strategy Coastal works to commence across the Illawarra Guy Sebastian takes The Long Road to reboot NSW’s visitor economy Major event news and infrastructure upgrades set for Newcastle Vivid Sydney EOI closing soon and new acts announced for Sunset Piazza Destination NSW wishes everyone a happy Lunar New Year New campaign to boost business events across Australia Meet the makers trail TAFE NSW partners with Basair Aviation College Vale Lilliane Brady Disco spectacular set to dazzle Dubbo Luxury eco-cabin opens in Snowy Mountains Building Better Regions Fund – round five closing soon Dinosaur Valley at Scenic World extended |
| 5 February 2021 | Refreshed 20 year economic vision for regional NSW released Sydney secures blockbuster art exhibition $800,000 funding program opens to support Aboriginal languages in NSW Wollongong becomes only UCI Bike City in the Southern Hemisphere Lord Howe Island’s biodiversity boom Holiday here in Sydney this year – Tourism Australia and Destination NSW team up From Port Macquarie to Newcastle with FlyPelican Support for Northern Beaches businesses impacted by COVID-19 restrictions Australian Sports Commission welcomes new Chair Applications for Heritage Grants close Monday Central NSW newcomer receives chef award Government investment to support coastal councils $500,000 funding boost for Ballina Arts and Cultural Funding applications open |
| 29 January 2021 | COVID-19 restrictions eased in NSW, borders open Major developments in train for Western Sydney NSW artists invited to apply for four new fellowships $16m upgrade for Taronga Zoo Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras guide released Sydney set for summer loving with Sunset Piazza Tourism Australia encourages Aussies to plan that next holiday here Caravan and camping critical to domestic tourism and regional Australia NSW Crown Land gets $51 million funding boost Faster payments pilot for small business subcontractors AIME 2021 cancelled Sydney Tower Eye celebrates 40 years Kempsey opens new visitor centre Footy fever in Coffs Harbour ARIA appoint new CEO |
| 22 January 2021 | Australia Day Live gives NSW residents a reason to celebrate Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 receives overwhelming industry support and engagement Sydney brought to life this summer Business registrations open for Dine & Discover Destination NSW’s 2019-20 annual report now available Adam Spencer shares his first ever NSW Aussie road trip in new online video series $14m Callan Park revamp Love NSW keeps shining, showcasing the state to visitors Regional communities hit home run through NSW Government support for sport Biggest infrastructure investment in history of NSW National Parks Young artists star in Manly Callubri Station opens in Western Plains Have your say on the draft local government rating bill Small and regional businesses win big in NSW CoastXP offers new experiences for the Hunter NSW to host the Australian Track and Field Championships 2021 |
| 18 January 2021 - Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 edition | NSW aims to be premier visitor economy of the Asia-Pacific by 2030 What’s next: Implementing the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 |
| 15 January 2021 | New year, new opportunities for NSW NSW celebrates resilience and unity in 2021 New Aboriginal experience on top of Sydney’s Harbour Bridge Businesses reminded to download Service NSW QR code NSW Government satisfaction climbs Big Banana to become even bigger Qantas and Japan Airlines join forces to support tourism recovery Regional arts receive funding boost New Aboriginal Cultural Sunset Tour Work underway for National Snowsports Training Centre Rugby Australia welcomes new Chief Executive Jervis Bay region remains open Famous Tasmanian calls Sydney home |
