Destination Download – July/August 2021

August 2nd, 2021

Welcome to our new look Destination Download, in this edition we share the latest industry updates, funding and support announcements, as well as skills development opportunities.

We know that it is an extremely tough time for everyone at the moment, please know we are here to support you and we encourage you to reach out to us. We are currently working to develop a virtual industry support series and look forward to sharing these details with you very soon. Again, if we can assist you or your business, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

If you need help in your work or personal life, assistance is available to you. Lifeline is offering free (fully funded) video counselling. No referrals are required. Please also share this resource with those you feel may be in need: lifeline.org.au/community-counselling

Between our updates you’ll find us on the socials – head over to follow us on LinkedIn and you’ll also find us on Instagram. We also encourage you to share our updates with your networks, simply forward this email and they can register here.

Take care and talk soon,
The DSSS team

Header image: Sun setting over the scenic grounds of Coolangatta Estate, Shoalhaven Heads.
Credit: Destination NSW.

In this edition:

News & Announcements

NSW COVID Support

Find information about the current COVID-19 Support Package including a handy summary of current support packages for individuals and business now available online. The NSW Government will also cover the disaster recovery payments for areas outside the Commonwealth declared hotspot from week four of the NSW lockdown providing valuable support across the state.

The NSW Government offers a free Business Concierge who can help you with information on grants among other things.

We encourage you to also keep an eye on the Service NSW website for more information as it’s released – including detailed eligibility criteria.

Please make sure you are taking care of yourself, and those around you, and if you need support for your mental wellbeing during this difficult time, here are some useful links for where you can reach out and get assistance or talk to someone.

Mental health support for small business owners

NewAccess for Small Business Owners is a free and confidential mental health coaching program, developed by Beyond Blue to give small business owners, including sole traders the support they need.

The program uses Low-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LiCBT) that allows participants to recognise the way they think, act, and feel and break unhelpful thoughts.
Over six sessions, coaches with a small business background will work with you to overcome difficult issues, providing you with practical skills to manage stress and get you back to feeling like yourself. At your first appointment your coach will complete an initial assessment with you, and develop a program tailored to your individual needs.

NewAccess for Small Business Owners is available nationally by phone or video call.

Enquire today about receiving assistance, through the Beyond Blue website.

Business Connect available to support businesses

Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help small businesses start, run, adapt or grow. The program can help business owners recover from disruption by offering confidential, independent business advice, as well as events and online resources to develop your business skills. Business advisors can help businesses to develop a recovery strategy, manage change, manage cashflow, access finance, market a business and connect to other government support. Business Connect support is available free of charge for small businesses who have been impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.

There is a range of upcoming webinars and virtual events covering financial fundamentals, creating a sales-boosting digital strategy and understanding marketing objectives.

Visit the Business Connect website or call 1300 134 359 to connect with a local advisor

Council rates relief for bushfire victims extended

The NSW Government is continuing to support victims of the devastating 2019-20 bushfires, announcing $2.5 million to fund another six months of council rate relief for those who lost their main properties.

The council rate relief package has been extended for people whose main property was significantly damaged or destroyed by bushfires, if it has not yet been rebuilt or changed ownership.

Read the full media release.

Destination NSW is actively supporting businesses in a variety of ways at this challenging time and is working to keep NSW top of mind for future visitors through ongoing daily media outreach.

Businesses encouraged to share stories with Destination NSW

Destination NSW is actively supporting businesses in a variety of ways at this challenging time and is working to keep NSW top of mind for future visitors through ongoing daily media outreach.

Businesses are encouraged to provide updates or news, specific to tourism offerings, deals or incentives to the Media team via email

Providoor expands to NSW

Premium meal delivery service, Providoor, has recently expanded to New South Wales.

Prepared by restaurant chefs and delivered via certified cold freight, the at-home meals are finished by the customer in their own kitchen, actively involving people in a premium cooking experience and giving them as close to an in-restaurant meal as possible.

Providoor takes orders by 4pm for next day delivery in Sydney Metro, regional NSW and Canberra. For more information, go to Sydney Providoor online.

Funding Opportunities

Regional Tourism Activation Fund

Applications closing soon!
Program includes two streams of funding for projects delivering unique and high-impact visitor experiences and for projects that will improve accessibility, inclusion and the visitor experience for people with disability. Read more and apply here.
Applications close 11 August 2021.

Regional Arts Fund

Funding of up to $30,000 is available for high-quality arts projects benefitting regional or remote artists, arts workers, audiences and communities. Read the eligibility guidelines and apply here.
Applications close 23 August 2021.

Regional Events Acceleration Fund

The NSW Government’s $20 million Regional Events Acceleration Fund is open. There are two streams of funding with $50,000 to $200,000 available per grant. Applications close 17 December, or when fully committed.

Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grants

The grants from Wine Australia are designed to support wine or cider producers who add value by attracting visitors to wine regions and encourage wine tourism. There are a number of criteria for wine and cider producers to meet, check the requirements and apply by Thursday 30 September.

Industry Insights

Audience Outlook Monitor

Patternmakers have released July 2021 results of the Audience Outlook Monitor, with the results indicating a setback in audience attendance as cancellations continue to impact events across the country.

Austrade’s Opportunities for the Visitor Economy report

Austrade’s Opportunities for the Visitor Economy report: A modern, diversified and collaborative path to 2030 found online with some other valuable resources.

MasterCard’s Recovery Insights report

MasterCard have released research on global travel recovery, insights and further details available in their report Recovery Insights: Ready for Takeoff?

The Value of Tourism report

Earlier in the year, Tourism Australia commissioned Deloitte to prepare The Value of Tourism report on the importance of tourism to Australia.

Destination NSW Westpac Tourism Expenditure Monitor

DNSW in partnership with Westpac, provide monthly reporting on tourism expenditure in NSW through the Tourism Expenditure Monitor. Data for May 2021 was recently released and previous reports are available on the DNSW website here.

National Visitor Survey (NVS) Snapshot

Tourism Research Australia (TRA) have released the monthly NVS snapshot for April 2021. Domestic overnight spend in April 2021 was $8.2 billion, up 7 per cent on April 2019. Further details available on the TRA website.

Skills Development, Workshops & Resources

Event Management Scholarship | Applications closing soon!

Up and coming event managers across the State will have the opportunity to benefit from one of 18 scholarships funded by the NSW Government and delivered in partnership with Meetings and Events Australia.

The Diploma of Event Management will be delivered by Meetings and Events Australia via an online learning tool, enabling students to access the program remotely and complete the tasks at their own pace. Scholarship applications are now open and close on Sunday 8 August 2021. For more information and to apply visit the Meet in NSW website.

Support for hospitality industry

The Federal Government is partnering with the hospitality and tourism industries to connect young job seekers to employment opportunities in tourism and hospitality through the $10 million PaTH Business Placement Partnerships program. Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) and the Accommodation Association of Australia (AAoA) have been chosen to deliver new pathways to jobs in the hospitality and tourism industries – the first two funded under the program.

Read full media release here and further details about the program available here.

NSW First Program online refresh

The NSW Government have announced 20 new virtual TAFE NSW courses delivering real world future-focused skills across a range of exciting career areas, one of which focuses on Events and Virtual Experiences.

Now available for Year 10 students across NSW to select as part of their Year 11 and 12 curriculum. Students will finish school with a Certificate II or III qualification and credit towards their HSC and ATAR.