Pretty Beach, Murramarang National Park | Credit Shoalhaven City Council; Josh Burkinshaw
Welcome to Destination Download
This month we’re celebrating local award finalists, sharing new training opportunities through the NSW First Program, and highlighting a few exciting upcoming workshops to help businesses boost their visibility and connect with international markets. You’ll also find updates on regional collaborations, industry insights, and funding opportunities to support your growth. 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
Grants & Funding Opportunities
Congratulations to our local finalists!
We’re thrilled to celebrate the outstanding talent from our region who have been named finalists in the 2025 Awards of Excellence run by the Caravan, Camping and Touring Industry and Manufactured Housing Industry Association of New South Wales. A huge congratulations to:
Holiday Haven Bendalong
Kim Young – Holiday Haven Lake Conjola
Holiday Haven Lake Conjola
Holiday Haven Tabourie
Tasman Holiday Parks – Racecourse Beach
This recognition is a testament to the incredible dedication and innovation across our visitor economy. We wish our finalists the very best as they move into the next stage of judging!
The practical Inbound Strategy workshop is designed to provide visitor economy businesses with the necessary steps to develop and sell export-ready products to international visitors via the inbound travel trade.
Who is it for? *
The Inbound Strategy workshop will suit visitor economy businesses, including accommodation, tours and activities, and visitor attractions including wineries, distilleries, breweries and farm gates that:
Offer bookable experiences
Have a presence in the domestic market, with at least one year of operational experience
Are currently connected with or considering working with an online travel agent
Are exploring opportunities in the international market
Get insights and tips on:
Understanding international markets
Tailoring visitor experiences
How to work with distributors (online travel agents and inbound tour operators) to sell internationally
Business processes, sales tools and steps to get started
What is included?
Insights, case studies and industry tips
Discussion and activities
Networking morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea
Southern Highlands
Date: Tuesday 21 October 2025 Time: 10:00 – 16:00 (AEDT) Registrations from 9:30am Location: Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral 7 Boronia Street, Bowral Cost:Registration is free
This workshop is presented by Destination NSW as part of theNSW First Program, designed to assist tourism businesses to develop, promote and sell tourism products and experiences.
Are you ready to take the next step in making your product bookable online and visible where travellers are searching?
Join us for an interactive workshop + networking session designed to break down the often-confusing world of distribution. Whether you’re a small accommodation provider, an experienced operator, or just starting to sell online, this session will give you the practical tools you need to take action.
What You’ll Learn:
What “distribution” really means, explained in plain language
How OTAs (Online Travel Agents) & Channel Managers work (and what they cost)
How to make your product bookable and findable online
How other local businesses are doing it – real case studies
Where to start if you want to reach domestic and international markets
What to Expect:
2-hour workshop, packed with practical tips from Tourism Australia, Destination NSW and Local operators
Live panel discussions with operators, software providers & OTAs
Networking session with industry suppliers… ask questions face-to-face
Takeaway tools and checklists to get started right away
Why Attend: This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from booking software solutions, channel managers, Online Travel Agents (Domestic and international Markets), PLUS connect with other local operators who have successfully navigated the process.
Shellharbour Tuesday 11 November 2025 Time: 12pm – 4pm (includes light working lunch)
Join us for an interactive workshop for farmers interested in learning more about diversification through agritourism. Hear from Tourism Australia and Destination NSW on current trends and support available, learn from real insights shared direct by farmers and network with likeminded producers.
Event Details:
📍 Location: Robertson / Kiama area
📅 Date: Monday 17 November 2025
🎫 Price: FREE to attend
Further details to follow. To register your interest or for more information please contact Tash McQueen, Business & Partnership Specialist from the DSSS team via email: [email protected]
Did you know there’s a wealth of on-demand resources available to support your business? Destination NSW’s NSW FIRST Program and other training initiatives provide practical tools and insights to help you Develop,Promote or Sell your experiences.
Whether you want to build digital skills, create unique experiences, or elevate your culinary offering – there’s a webinar or guide ready for you to access anytime.
Take advantage of these free resources to build capability, stay competitive, and keep growing your business.
Tourism leaders unite to tackle regional challenges and opportunities at the Southern NSW & ACT Tourism Roundtable
Housing shortages, workforce gaps, transport issues and climate pressures are reshaping the future of tourism across Southern NSW & ACT. To respond, the Southern NSW & ACT Tourism Roundtable will bring together leading tourism organisations and stakeholders to align efforts, share insights and uncover practical, actionable solutions that support sustainable growth.
Event Details:
📍 Location: Old Parliament House, Canberra
📅 Date: Wednesday, 19 November 2025
🕒 Time: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
🎫 Ticket price: $120pp (includes morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea, facilitated session, speakers and a copy of the Outcomes Report)
EOIs open for first round of projects for Investment Delivery Authority
The NSW Government has opened Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the first round of projects to be considered by the new Investment Delivery Authority (IDA). Hotels critical to visitor economy growth are a key priority, alongside projects in data, technology, renewable energy and energy security. Successful proposals will receive specialist government support, including streamlined planning assessments and guidance from a multi-agency Investment Taskforce. EOIs close 27 October.
Register for Tourism Australia’s industry briefings
Registrations are open for Tourism Australia’s industry briefings. The briefings will include an update from Acting Managing Director Robin Mack on current trends and market insights and Chief Marketing Officer, Susan Coghill will present the latest details on Tourism Australia’s marketing activity.
Local councils and RTOs: Have your say on tourism’s social impact
Australian Regional Tourism is inviting Local Councils and Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) to take part in their Social Impact Survey. The results will help us understand whether there is a need for a National Social Impact Framework, one that could simplify social impact measurement and give regions the skills to report outcomes with confidence.
Famil trips for blind and low-vision travellers
Want to improve the accessibility and inclusiveness of tourism products and services in your region? Sensory Tourism Australia is partnering with Cocky Guides in a new initiative taking blind and low-vision travellers on famil trips and, they want to hear from regional tourism and local government organisations interested in participating.
Top travel priorities from Gen Z to Baby Boomers
A report by consumer intelligence and marketing platform Brandwatch has analysed millions of social media conversations to understand how each generation is shaping trends in travel.
Regional event leadership program for local government
The Australian Centre for Regional Events has developed a practical, outcomes-focused program designed specifically for councils. Over four weeks, your team will gain the tools, templates, and strategies to streamline processes, work more efficiently, and maximise the impact of events in your region.
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].
Shellharbour Destination Management Plan Workshop | Credit Shellharbour City Council
Regional snapshots: On the road with Kylie Bushby, Business Development Manager
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been back on the road, catching up with operators and partners across the region. The passion and fresh ideas I’m seeing from businesses right now are incredibly motivating, this time of year always seems to spark creativity and momentum.
Recent highlights from my travels and conversations include:
Bundanon – Connecting with Alicia, Sophia and Patrick
The sense of energy across our industry is growing as we head into the warmer months, with new experiences, partnerships, and ideas coming to life. It’s an exciting time to be part of shaping our region’s visitor economy.
I’ll be taking a short break from 1–15 October but would love to connect when I’m back. If you have a new project, collaboration idea, or just want to chat, you can Book a time to chat with me here.
Photo credit Illawarra Indigenous Business Expo 2025
Tickets on sale for the Illawarra Indigenous Business Expo 2025
The Expo will feature more than 60 First Nations-owned businesses, creating an important platform to connect with suppliers, entrepreneurs, and innovators. For the visitor economy and experience providers, this is a unique opportunity to:
Discover authentic First Nations-led experiences, products, and services to enhance visitor offerings
Build meaningful relationships with businesses across tourism, hospitality, creative industries, and cultural services
Explore partnership opportunities that contribute to a stronger, more inclusive visitor economy in NSW
Now in its sixth year, the nbn® grants program champions the ideas, resilience and brilliance of regional digital businesses. There’s also $125,000 in grants up for grabs.
The program is looking for digital businesses in regional and remote Australia who are:
making the most of the nbn® network to help enable regional Australians to live, learn and work in a digital society
challenging the traditional markets in regional Australia
lifting digital participation and stimulating regional economies
championing digital adoption for regional and remote communities
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.
