Stakeholder Update | mid-May 2020

May 15th, 2020

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An Update from the DSSS Board

The board and team at DSSS continue to advocate on the social and economic benefits that the visitor economy brings to the many businesses across the network. We continue to be a voice for the bushfire affected areas and work our way through the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 shutdown.

With the NSW Government easing of restrictions today, this will allow more businesses to open up, more people to stay in work and more personal freedoms. Click for the latest COVID-19 restrictions.

While some restrictions have been relaxed, the NSW Government still prohibits holidaying in a regional area. However, there is still an opportunity to support the local economy by participating in some of the great ‘shop local campaigns’ with fabulous gifts and unique local products.

To get your business COVID Safe take a look at a new online planning tool from the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission to develop a plan to keep workers, customers and the community safe as they reopen or increase their activities in the weeks and months ahead. Click here

Hopefully it won’t be too long before we are welcoming visitors across the network.

Stay safe and well,

Destination Sydney Surrounds South team.

New Destination NSW CEO

Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres has announced the appointment of Steve Cox as the new CEO of Destination NSW, who commenced on 4th May 2020.

Mr Cox was the Managing Director at Dymocks Retail for eight years and enjoyed a distinguished career in the retail industry. Mr Ayres said Mr Cox’s appointment will provide Destination NSW with fresh impetus as the agency builds on the State’s reputation as the No.1 destination for domestic and international tourists.

We welcome Mr Cox to the role and look forward to working with the Destination NSW team.

Time to Love NSW

Today, Destination NSW kicked off the next phase of the Now’s The Time To Love NSW tourism recovery campaign – ‘Now’s The Time To Love NSW From Home’ – with a new program of activity including a TVC that showcases the diversity and beauty of our state.

The state’s breathtaking landscapes and visitor experiences play a starring role in the TVC which invites people to dream about the wide open space, fun and adventures they’ll be able to enjoy when travel restrictions are lifted.

Enjoy a teaser of the ‘Now’s The Time To Love NSW From Home’ commercial now.

The TVC and a video series will link to a refreshed Now’s The Time To Love NSW campaign page on VisitNSW.com that features the latest virtual NSW experiences that travellers can enjoy from home right now. This includes a new #LoveNSW virtual experience map – an interactive tool for people to explore NSW online by field of interest: food and wine, nature and adventure, wellness and spas, and art and culture.

Click for the Media Release

Call for content for Tourism Australia’s AUS Live

Tourism Australia has today commenced their Live from Aus virtual tourism activation. An extension of the With Love from Aus campaign launched last month, Live from Aus will bring some of Australia’s best tourism offerings ‘live’ into the living rooms of Australians. The campaign is designed to showcase Australian destinations, as even though the ability to travel is currently on hold with timing for recovery uncertain, it is important that destinations don’t go completely quiet. Tourism Australia is right now seeking live content to promote. To be considered as part of Live from Aus, let Tourism Australia know about any live streaming events your business has coming up by emailing [email protected] with Live From Aus in the heading. If the content is relevant for Tourism Australia’s audiences, Tourism Australia can help promote it.

More Information

Safe Work Australia launches hub of COVID-19 guidelines for industry

Safe Work Australia has developed specialised industry guidelines and information across 23 sectors to assist businesses return to work in a COVID-19-safe environment.

National Cabinet yesterday encouraged businesses to be prepared for reopening, to protect their workers and protect their business. It advised that Safe Work Australia would be the single source of information, allowing businesses to plan future operations with confidence and consistency.
Safe Work Australia’s specialised COVID-19 website provides important information for industries including hospitality, retail, taxi and rideshare and public transport that addresses:
·       Duties under WHS laws
·       Risk assessment
·       COVID-19 in your workplace
·       Health monitoring
·       Physical distancing
·       Hygiene and cleaning
·       Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and more.

Safe Work Australia Guidelines

NSW Government Survey on the impacts of COVID-19

The NSW Small Business Commission is currently conducting an important survey on the impacts of Covid-19 on small businesses across NSW. We strongly encourage you to take part in the survey, which will only take around ten minutes of your time, as it will provide the NSW Government with details on key issues impacting small business as a result of the crisis. Most importantly, the survey results will be used to inform the development of support packages, recovery initiatives and policy decisions.

Click for Survey

Australian Government unveils new $650 million package to support bushfire recovery

Earlier this week the Australian Government unveiled a new $650 million package to support locally-led bushfire recovery with a funding and support package from the Commonwealth. Part of the $2billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund, this package is focused on reviving and strengthening local economies. More than $448.5 million will be provided to Local Governments and be used to fast track the delivery of locally-led projects that align to recovery plans in impacted regions. This is most pleasing to see and even more pleasing that eligible programs include local tourism campaigns and infrastructure programs.

More Information

Easing of Travel Restrictions

The National Cabinet outlines a ROADMAP to a COVIDSAFE Australia.

The three-step framework to ease the rules agreed and announced last Friday sets out a roadmap to achieve a COVIDSAFE economy and society by July this year.
The framework will be implemented at a pace set by individual states and territories with the NSW Premier announced the easing of restrictions in NSW would come into effect from today Friday 15th which follows most but not all of the National Cabinet measures with regional holiday travel still not permitted.

More Information

Agritourism 2020

Business Connect are running an agritourism webinar.

Tuesday, May 26, 2020 8:00 PM
Agritourism is a tourism-related experience or product that connects agricultural products, people or places with visitors to a farm or rural land.

Whether you’re an emerging business or destination, or need to revamp your existing offering, this webinar is a great opportunity to learn about this sector and to learn to build your Agribusiness.

Book Now