The winners of the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards have just been announced, and we’re so proud to share that two towns from our patch, Huskisson and Kiama, were among those recognised.
In this edition, you’ll also find updates on upcoming industry events, skills development opportunities, new funding programs, and local highlights. Remember, if you are keen to connect, please reach out to the team. We are here to support you!
In this edition:
News & Announcements
Business & Skills Development, Resources, Events
Industry Insights
Local Updates
Grant & Funding Opportunities
Australia’s Top Tourism Towns announced!
Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Top Tourism Towns, announced today at Parliament House, Canberra.
The Top Tourism Town Awards celebrate the heart and soul of Australia, highlighting smaller regions that showcase the country’s warmth, character, and charm. Towns are judged within population categories, considering attractions, amenities, accommodation, and their ability to host visitors with genuine hospitality.
We’re especially proud of our own coastal gems: Huskisson, awarded Silver in the Tiny Towns category, and Kiama, honoured with Bronze in the Top Tourism Town category.
Registrations are now open for Digital Skills Future Ready, the second of two digital skills initiatives being delivered in partnership between Destination NSW and Tourism Tribe.
The fully funded initiative includes eight webinars, and limited places for a one hour coaching session for eligible businesses. The webinar series and coaching sessions will support businesses from across Sydney and NSW to upskill in the areas of digital marketing, AI and online distribution.
Sea Otter Summit is coming to Batemans Bay this October
The Sea Otter Summit, a global gathering of outdoor industry leaders, comes to Australia for the first time on October 21–23, 2025. Join this landmark event for a uniquely Australian take on the key challenges and innovations shaping our industry and share your #WildIdeas to strengthen the outdoor economy.
Did you know that over 4 million Australians live with a disability? Updating your accessibility
credentials on your ATDW Tourism Business Profile, will help you reach a broader audience and
show your commitment to providing a great experience for everyone.
Boost your visibility and let potential customers know that your business is ready to accommodate their needs. Log in to the ATDW platform today to make sure your profile reflects your dedication to accessibility.
ATEC Tourism Export Awards – nominations are now open
Nominations are open for individuals or organisations who go above and beyond in the ATEC Tourism Export Awards.
NSW is #1 for accessible tourism
Tourism Research Australia’s Accessible Tourism in Australia report has revealed more than one in five trips in Australia were made in 2024 by travellers with accessible needs and their companions, contributing $29 billion to the visitor economy.
New EarthCheck toolkits
These guides are designed to help build trust, meet emerging standards and avoid the most common pitfalls in sustainability marketing, whether you’re writing your next social post or preparing for ESG reporting. There’s one for operators and one for destination marketers.
New ‘Camping in NSW National Parks’ landing page
National Parks and Wildlife Services has recently launched their new camping campaign in support of their significantly improved camping landing page and various content updates on key campground pages.
Discover what’s been happening across our industry. To share your new product, experience or event, please get in touch with us at [email protected].
Regional snapshots from the road with our Business Development Manager, Kylie Bushby
Spring has well and truly arrived, and it’s been wonderful to be out and about connecting with businesses of all sizes across our region. The energy, ideas, and innovation from operators at this time of year are always inspiring.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with:
There’s a strong sense of momentum as we move into the warmer months, with new experiences, collaborations, and opportunities continuing to emerge across the region. I’m excited to see how these initiatives develop and contribute to strengthening our visitor economy.
If you’ve got an idea in the works or would like to explore opportunities, I’d love to connect, whether in person or virtually. Book a time to chat with me here.
Credit: Destination NSW & 24-Hour Economy NSW
Live Performance Venue grant programs – round 2
🗓️ Applications close 23rd September 2025
Are you a small-to-medium hospitality venue in NSW looking to kickstart or grow your live performance offering?
The Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner is offering up to $80,000 in funding per venue for essential sound equipment, staging, marketing, and paying performers, through the Live Performance Venue Grant Program.
The objective of the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant is to support wine or cider producers who add value by encouraging visitors to wine regions, and thereby encourage wine tourism.
Wine producers who have met the eligibility criteria in the preceding financial year may apply for a grant payment of 29 per cent of the notional wholesale selling price of their eligible rebatable domestic cellar door sales (up to $100,000 (GST exclusive)). Total funding under the grant program is capped at $10 million each financial year.
If the total value of all eligible applications exceeds the $10 million program cap in, the value of individual grants will be reduced proportionally and be applied at a consistent rate for all approved applications.
Thank you for taking the time to read this update.
Don’t forget between our updates you’ll find us on socials, head over to follow us onLinkedInand you’ll also find us onInstagram.
We also encourage you to share our updates with your networks, simply forward this email and they can register here.
Talk soon, The DSSS team
Destination Sydney Surrounds South acknowledges the Aboriginal Nations and Aboriginal People of the Sydney Surrounds South region as the traditional carers and custodians of the land that we all now live and work on. We pay our respect to Elders past and present. Destination Sydney Surrounds South values the diversity of this region and works in partnership with local Aboriginal communities to respectfully celebrate and share Aboriginal culture with visitors to the region and also with locals who live here.
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