Sydney Surrounds South Destination Management Plan Review
DSSS is pleased to invite visitor economy industry and stakeholders to take part in the consultation process for the new regional Destination Management Plan (DMP),…
Champion Regional NSW as a Destination Network Board Member
Come join us! We’re growing the visitor economy in the most dynamic region in NSW at Destination Sydney Surrounds South. Board positions are now open…
Visitor Economy Industry Development Workshops – registrations open
Destination Sydney Surrounds South invites all businesses in the visitor economy to attend upcoming hands-on learning and networking opportunities across the region later this month.
Registrations Open for Business Events Educational Workshops
Registrations are now open for the series of Business Events Educational Workshops, held in partnership with sector experts Mayvin Global as part of the Business Events Industry Development…
Watch: Full details for UCI Road World Championships announced
The full race details for the 2022 UCI Road World Championships have been released, unveiling challenging Road Race courses, a demanding Wollongong City Circuit and…
Shaping the Six Cities NSW Mega Region
In a landmark move, the Greater Cities Commission will bring together the cities of the Lower Hunter and Greater Newcastle, Central Coast, Greater Sydney and…
THRIVE 2030 – The Long-term National Strategy for the Visitor Economy
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Dan Tehan, has launched THRIVE 2030, Australia’s new long-term national strategy to grow the visitor economy. The strategy reflects…
Updated Timetable: Jobs and Skills Bus Trial for the Shoalhaven
The Local Jobs Program Team has negotiated a partnership with Nowra Coaches to offer an enhanced Jobs and Skills Bus trial to address transport challenges…
Tourism Australia adopts Aboriginal Dual Naming
Tourism Australia is adopting a dual-naming approach for capital cities and other specific locations around Australia by using the known Aboriginal name alongside the English…
Visitor Economy Development Program EOI now open!
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for the Visitor Economy Development Program. Delivered as a key milestone of the Export Ready Industry Development Program,…
Flood assistance and support
There is a range of support and assistance programs available from the NSW and Commonwealth Governments. **Applications Are Open Flood Disaster Recovery Small Business Grant…
Save the Dates | Business Events Educational Workshops
As part of the Business Events Industry Development and Mentoring Program delivered by DSSS in partnership with sector experts Mayvin Global, we will be hosting…
Jobs and Skills Bus trial for the Shoalhaven
The Illawarra South Coast Local Jobs Program has partnered with Transport for NSW to fund a trial Jobs and Skills Bus to address transport challenges…
Leveraging the Stay NSW program
Accommodation providers are encouraged to take advantage of the Stay NSW program and to better leverage this opportunity, consider these quick tips.
Tourism Australian launches new campaign
Tourism Australia is celebrating Australia's international borders reopening with a $40 million campaign called Don't Go Small. Go Australia. The campaign is running in Germany, France, Italy,…
Full steam ahead for Business Events in NSW
The business events industry is regaining its momentum, with 500 buyers and 180 exhibitors gathering last week at ICC Sydney for Get Local. The Get Local event…
Nominations are now open for Top Tourism Town 2022
NSW Tourism Industry Council is calling for nominations for NSW’s Top Tourism Towns across three categories: Top Tourism Town, Small Tourism Town, and Tiny Tourism…
Tourism Australia releases ‘Work and Plan the Aussie Way’ Industry Toolkit
Tourism Australia has released an Industry Toolkit and video update to support its Work and Play the Aussie Way campaign. Work and Play the Aussie…
Joadja Distillery’s Gin… fit for the Queen
Joadja Distillery proudly announce that Her Excellency, The Governor of NSW, Margaret Beazley AC QC has chosen Joadja Dry Gin (Highland Gin blend) as a…
Applications now open for the NSW Small Business Support Program
Small businesses that experienced a downturn over summer can now apply for a NSW Government support payment of up to $5,000 per week through Service…
Escape to nature with Park’n Pay
Whether it is a day trip to Kosciuszko, exploring the beaches of the Royal National Park or camping under the stars at the Blue Mountains,…
Planning amendments for agritourism update
The Department of Planning, Industry & Environment has released a summary report detailing the submissions received during the exhibition of the Agritourism and small scale agriculture development…
New support payments for SMEs hit hard by Omicron
The NSW Government will cover up to 20 per cent of a small or medium business's weekly payroll as part of a new package of…
Business registrations open for Stay NSW vouchers
The NSW Government is helping the visitor economy bounce back from COVID-19 restrictions with the opening of business registrations for the Stay NSW voucher program and the…
A boost for NSW Tourism, Investment and Trade with re-opening of international borders
The NSW Government has today welcomed news the Federal Government is set to re-open international borders to fully vaccinated travelers from 21 February providing a…
Airbnb and ART renew agritourism partnership
Airbnb and Australian Regional Tourism (ART) partnered in 2020 to develop a bespoke toolkit for farmers looking to earn extra income through farm stays. They've…
Applications open for newly created role at Destination NSW
Applications are now open for Director, Regional Hub - a newly created executive role at Destination NSW. Reporting to the General Manager Policy, Product &…
READY, SET, STAY! NSW businesses encouraged to sign up for new voucher programs
Eligible accommodation providers across the State can now register to take part in two of the NSW Government’s new voucher programs – Parents NSW and…
New World-Class Art Museum at Bundanon
Bundanon has opened the doors to its new Art Museum and Bridge for Creative Learning, with a grand opening held on 29 January 2022. The…
Claim your Alfresco Dining Rebate
Hospitality businesses across NSW can claim their $5000 Alfresco Restart Rebate next month. More than 1,813 NSW businesses have already registered for the rebate, which is available…
All invited to the 2021 NSW Tourism Awards
The 2021 NSW Tourism Awards will celebrate the outstanding strength, resilience and achievements of the tourism industry in a virtual ceremony on 3 February 2022. Winners…
Business Events Mentor Program registrations extended!
There’s still time to register for the upcoming Business Events Mentor Program, with expressions of interest extended until this Sunday! If you are looking to…
Small business mental health service extended
"I would highly recommend the program to anyone struggling with business stress," said one participant. Beyond Blue's NewAccess for Small Business Owners has received additional…
COVID-19 restrictions extended
The NSW Government has extended current COVID-19 restrictions for another month as the State continues to take a measured response to managing the pandemic. Settings…
New visa incentives to bring student & backpacker workers back to NSW
The Australian Government has announced a series of visa measures to provide an incentive for fully vaccinated Student and Working Holiday Maker visa holders to return…
Lifeline for major events in NSW
Organisers of major events and festivals that have been cancelled or significantly disrupted by COVID Public Health Orders will be supported by funding through the…
Rent relief extended for small businesses
Small businesses that are continuing to face challenges due to COVID-19 will benefit from an additional two months of rent relief, with the NSW Government…
New Minnamurra Rainforest audio guides
Explore beautiful Minnamurra Rainforest, in Budderoo National Park, and discover its unique natural and cultural heritage with the help of three new audio tours developed…
Register positive COVID test results with Service NSW
From 12 January 2022, people must register a COVID-19 positive result from a rapid antigen test and can do this through Service NSW. This helps…
Shoalhaven City Council launch Event Support Program
Shoalhaven City Council is calling event organisers to host their Event in the Shoalhaven this Year. From January 17, 2022, event owners from across the…
Business Events Mentor Program EOI now open!
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for the Destination Sydney Surrounds South Business Events Mentor Program. DSSS is seeking expressions of interest from operators…
Industry Survey | Visitor Economy Support
Just three short questions, we’d love your suggestions! DSSS is seeking feedback from business owners and operators, about current challenges and assistance required to help the NSW…
Applications for Land Tax Relief extended until February
Applications for land tax relief will be extended until 28 February to give eligible commercial and residential landowners more time to access the program. Minister…
Destination Download | December 2021
In our final Destination Download for the year, you’ll find the latest industry news, funding and support announcements, as well as business and skills development opportunities, plus…
New $5000 Alfresco Rebate goes live in time for summer
The NSW Government is offering a rebate of up to $5000 as part of its $66 million Alfresco Restart Package to help the hospitality, arts…
Business Events Industry Development | Mentor Program EOI opening soon!
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are opening soon for the Destination Sydney Surrounds South Business Events Mentor Program. A key component of the Business Events Industry…
Killalea Reserve gets Parks protection
One of the Illawarra’s most popular destinations, Killalea State Park, will be added to the NSW National Parks estate, creating one of NSW’s newest Regional…
Shellharbour wins Small Regional Airport of the Year
National award recognises best Regular Passenger Transport (RPT) airport Shellharbour Airport has been named Australia’s best Small Regional RPT Airport at the Australian Airport Association’s…
Funds help event take flight
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the NSW Government’s Regional Events Acceleration Fund would support the return of Wings Over Illawarra, which will introduce a…
Vaccinated International Students to return quarantine-free
The NSW Government has announced it will not require international students to quarantine if they are fully vaccinated with a TGA-recognised vaccine. This aligns with…