A Message From Our General Manager
Destination Sydney Surrounds South is excited for the industry and product development project opportunities 2021 will bring. With the release of the Visitor Economy Strategy, we will also be concentrating on our strategic goals, with a review and update of the DSSS DMP. We look forward to your involvement in many projects this year.
I’d like to introduce you to our newest team members. Aaron Matis has come on board with us as our Industry Development Manager. Having spent the last two years with Destination NSW, Aaron is keen to be back working and living on the South Coast and can’t wait to meet you very soon. We are also extremely excited to have Tash McQueen join us in the Business Support role. Tash comes to us with a wealth of knowledge and strong connections in the Tourism industry and has spent the last 2 years as the Membership Engagement Officer with Australian Regional Tourism.
Fresh off the press, I’d like to extend a big congratulations to Destination Wollongong for receiving the coveted UCI Bike City label, making them the only city in the Southern Hemisphere to receive this label. This is not only a fantastic win for Wollongong, it’s a win for the whole DSSS region, and recognises the significant investment and commitment Wollongong has made to becoming ‘cycle friendly’ to all.
I’d also like to extend my congratulations to Shoalhaven Tourism for coming in at number 8 on TripAdvisor’s Emerging Destination list. It’s no easy task competing with great destinations around the world, again something for our whole region to benefit from.
Aaron, Tash and I will be out in region over the next few months so make sure you reach out if you would like to catch up.
Chat soon,
Shannan Perry-Hall and the DSSS Team
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Visitor Economy Strategy 2030
The NSW Government recently announced the new Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 which provides a roadmap to support all industries involved in the visitor economy to recover from the impact of drought, bushfires and COVID-19 and to grow in the future.
The strategy sets a bold vision for NSW to be the premier visitor economy of the Asia-Pacific by 2030.
View the strategy document.
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Dine & Discover NSW
The NSW Government is launching Dine & Discover NSW to encourage the community to get out and about, supporting dining, arts and tourism businesses and stimulating spending in the economy.
Initially the scheme will invite customers to use their vouchers with participating COVID Safe businesses, as part of a testing period, in The Rocks and Broken Hill in early February. Dine & Discover NSW will then be piloted with a larger group in Sydney CBD, Northern Beaches and Bega Valley from late February. The statewide rollout will commence in March.
Every NSW resident aged 18 and over will be eligible for four $25 vouchers worth $100 in total, to spend in participating businesses from March 2021. The vouchers will be divided into two categories:
- Two $25 vouchers to be used for eating in at restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and clubs from Monday to Thursday, excluding public holidays.
- Two $25 vouchers to be used for entertainment and recreation, including cultural institutions, live music, and arts venues, available 7 days a week, excluding public holidays.
Registration for the scheme is now open to all eligible businesses across NSW.
Find out more information about how your business can participate.
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20-Year Economic Vision – REFRESH
The 20-Year Economic Vision for Regional NSW, released in 2018, sets out the Government’s priorities and plans to achieve long-term social and economic success for regional communities across the state.
The 2018 Vision has been refreshed in response to the changed economic landscape and opportunities that have emerged in regional NSW following the drought, bushfires, flood and COVID-19 pandemic.
Find out more.
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Building Better Regions Fund
The $1.04 billion Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF) supports the Australian Government’s commitment to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities into the future.
Find out more.
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Arts & Cultural Funding Program
Individual artists, arts and cultural workers, practitioners and organisations across NSW are invited to apply for Round 2 of Create NSW’s 2020/2021 Arts and Cultural Funding Program. The program shows continued support for NSW’s arts and culture sector and Create NSW – administrator of the program – is calling for applications across a wide range of artforms and disciplines, from Museums and History to Contemporary Music, to Aboriginal Arts and Culture and Classical Music.
Applications close Monday, 1 March 2021.
Find out more.
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Crown Reserves Improvement Fund
The Crown Reserves Improvement Fund Program (CRIFP) supports Crown land managers (CLMs) by providing funding for repairs and maintenance projects, pest and weed control, new recreational infrastructure or environmental initiatives. The funding aims to benefit the community, boost our economy and contribute to the cultural, sporting and recreational life of NSW.
Find out more.
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NSW Government Heritage Grants
Eligible applicants have until 5pm Monday 8 February to apply for the 2021-23 NSW Government Heritage Grants. The program aims to improve the identification and protection of the State’s heritage, assist owners and custodians in conservation, encourage cultural participation, increase resilience and stimulate the economy.
In this round, there are three broad categories of grants: Aboriginal Cultural Heritage, Caring for State Heritage and Community Heritage.
Find out more.
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Aboriginal Languages Community Investments Program 2021
Applications are now open for Aboriginal communities across NSW, thanks to a NSW Government funding program that is designed to support projects that reawaken, grow, nurture, promote and raise awareness of Aboriginal languages.
The Aboriginal Languages Community Investments Program 2021 is an open round grants program offering a total of $800,000 across three categories to support different project aims.
Applications for the Aboriginal Languages Community Investments Program 2021 funding round close Friday 12 March 2021.
Find out more.
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WORKSHOPS, WEBINARS & CONFERENCES
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Destination Australia Conference 2021
Tourism Australia will host the seventh annual Destination Australia conference on 4 March 2021 at the ICC Sydney.
After the unprecedented challenges of 2020, the conference will focus on the future of Australian tourism, with high profile speakers sharing consumer insights, global trends and discussing key opportunities for the tourism industry in a post-COVID world. Destination Australia will also be offered online for those unable to attend in person.
See confirmed speakers here and register for the event here.
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Growing Regional Economies Through Agritourism
Agritourism is a significant growth market opportunity for regional destinations, and it is through these visitor experiences we can tell the story of regional Australia.
Australian Regional Tourism has partnered with Airbnb to host a dynamic webinar on the opportunities available through agritourism and the important role the sector has in supporting regional economies to get back on their feet.
Facilitating the conversation is Coralie Bell, ART Chair and joining her will be:
- Huw Phillips, Advocacy and Policy Manager, Airbnb
- Nick Baker, ART Director and CEO, Outdoria
Hear about Airbnb’s support for operators to assist them in developing Agritourism experiences and learn about opportunities to partner with them.
Find out more and register.
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Thank You For A Successful Symposium!
We’d like to thank everyone who came along to the recent Visitor Economy Symposium at The Pavilion Kiama late last year. It was fantastic to be able to meet with each other face-to-face after such a trying year and it was great to see everyone in such high spirits. We received overwhelmingly positive feedback on the event so make sure to keep an eye out as we will be planning another one for the near future.
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