Explore new grants, events, and learning opportunities to power your tourism business. Plus, access key industry insights, including AI trends, export awards, and inclusive tourism training.
Image: Wodi Wodi Track, Stanwell Park | Credit: Destination NSW
Welcome to Destination Download
Thanks to everyone who joined us at the 2025 Visitor Economy Symposium last month, what a fantastic turnout! Speaking of fantastic… we’re so proud of the two amazing tour guides who took home awards at the NSW Top Tour Guide Awards last night! Read on to find out more. Also in this edition, you’ll find upcoming grant opportunities, free training for tourism operators, insights on AI in travel planning, plus all the details about our new winter marketing campaign, ‘Go Grand’.
In this edition:
News & Announcements
Business & Skills Development, Resources, Events
Industry Insights
Local Updates
Grant & Funding Opportunities
Go GRAND: Help us inspire visitors to our region
We’re excited to share a new marketing campaign titled Go Grand, which launched on 26 May 2025 and will run until the end of August 2025.
This campaign is jointly funded by Destination Sydney Surrounds South and our five Local Government Areas (Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Wingecarribee, and Wollongong), with the goal of stimulating winter visitation across the region. The campaign showcases inspirational content and highlights experiences under the themes of Grand Experiences, Grand Nature, Grand Flavours, and Grand Stays. You can view the campaign landing page at www.grandpacificdrive.com.au/grand/.
How You Can Help
We’re inviting tourism businesses to help spread awareness of the campaign by using our Campaign Toolkit assets across your own social media channels. All assets have been designed to maintain consistency and impact, and all you need to do is select your favourites and start sharing! You can also keep a close eye on posts published on our socials and share them.
If you’re an operator, this is a great way to get involved in the campaign. if you’re not, please feel free to share this within your network. The more people involved, the merrier! We’re incredibly proud to be working with all five Local Government Areas to bring this campaign to life, and we’d love for you to be part of it.
We are so proud of the two tour guides from our region who received awards at the NSW Top Tour Guides Awards night last night, plus the FOUR towns from the South Coast and Southern Highlands which took home top honours at the NSW Top Tourism Town Awards last week. A huge congrats to:
🥇 Kiama – Gold in Top Tourism Town 🥈 Shellharbour – Silver in Top Tourism Town 🥈 Robertson – Silver in Small Tourism Town (and People’s Choice Award!) 🥇 Huskisson – Gold in Tiny Tourism Town
🏆 Award season is here!
…And it’s one of the best ways to elevate your business, build credibility, and celebrate the work you’re doing. Plus there is LOTS of help available to get you through the application process.
We would love to see more DSSS region nominations for:
Nominations close 13th June, so please reach out if you are keen, it’s easier than you might think!
A huge congratulations to Karen Jones on her appointment as the new CEO of Destination NSW!
After serving as Acting CEO since January, Karen officially steps into the role with an impressive track record, including overseeing record visitor expenditure and major events like Vivid Sydney. With over 27 years of leadership experience and a passion for driving strategic growth, Karen is well-positioned to lead the next chapter of NSW’s visitor economy, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to continue working together to grow the regional visitor economy.
Applications are open for the 2025 Australian Export Awards
🗓️ Applications close 13th June 2025
It’s your time to shine! Apply now and show the world what your business is made of at the 63rd Australian Export Awards. Applications close 13th June 2025
Whether you’re breaking out of regional Australia into new markets, pushing new boundaries as a small business, or innovating across the agribusiness, food or beverages industry, there’s an award category for you!
Destination NSW has partnered with the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) to provide free access for internationally-ready NSW tour, attraction and accommodation businesses to access three ATEC Host online learning modules: China Host, India Host and Accessible & Inclusive Host. The ATEC Host modules has now been extended to both existing and new applicants, until 30 September 2025.
The training programs show how to effectively attract and service visitors from key markets by being culture-ready, product and service ready and market and trade ready, plus how to work effectively with key travel distributors.
The Australian Event Awards and Symposium is held in conjunction with the Australian Event Awards to drive industry growth and development, and to ensure Australia remains on the leading edge of the events space worldwide.
The Event Symposium aims to foster unity and advancement within the events industry as well as creating networking and collaborative opportunities across all sectors of the industry. The content of the Symposium is focused on professional development for industry representatives and on delivering strong take-away value for delegates.
New for 2025, the Symposium experience will be extended with an exclusive pre-event Famil hosted by Coffs Coast Council. This exciting addition offers delegates a first-hand look at the impressive C.ex Coffs International Stadium, while proudly showcasing Coffs Coast as one of Australia’s leading regional event destinations.
The stunning Adelaide Hills, just a short drive from the gateway of Adelaide, yet a world away in terms of offering world-class cellar door experiences, pristine nature and wildlife, iconic agritourism and wellness offerings, including Beerenberg and Jurlique, as well as the charming historic German town, Hahndorf, where the convention will be hosted.
The conventionis a must-attend event for anyone who wishes to contribute to the future of regional tourism in Australia and is tailored for all sectors of the tourism industry. It is a great networking opportunity and forum to exchange ideas about ways to grow a sustainable regional destination and to showcase best practice success.
Is it time you refreshed your ATDW Business Profile?
As the seasons change, so do the interests and needs of travellers. Whether it’s highlighting winter activities, summer specials, or spring events, refreshing your profile can attract more customers looking for timely experiences. Updating your Tourism Business Profile in ATDW with current photos, special offers, and relevant details helps you stand out and keeps your audience engaged.
Boost your visibility and make every season a successful one for your business. Log in to the ATDW platform today to keep your business in the spotlight year-round.
New Regional Communities Consultation Guide
The NSW Government has released the Regional Communities Consultation Guide, which outlines its approach to consulting with regional communities, including Aboriginal communities.
The Guide is informed by in-depth stakeholder engagement across regional and rural communities, to ensure the priorities and expectations of regional, rural and remote communities are reflected. This included direct engagement with peak organisations including; the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Local Government NSW, the Country Mayors Association, the Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation and the Central NSW Joint Organisation.
Accessible and Inclusive webinar series
Join Destination NSW for this free webinar series designed to give you practical tools and insights to help make your business more accessible and inclusive.
Delivered by Destination NSW in partnership with Get Skilled Access (founded by Paralympian and disability advocate Dylan Alcott AO) as part of the NSW First Program.
The webinars will run between 16 – 25 June, click the link below to find out more.
Roadtripping Australia with camperdays.de
Tourism Australia and online booking platform for campervan hire, CamperDays.de, launched a cross-media campaign to inspire road trip adventures across Australia.
Virtual assistants are transforming travel planning
The travel sector is seeing dramatic changes, largely thanks to artificial intelligence (AI). AI is changing vacation planning and advertising strategies. These innovations promise greater efficiency and cost reductions, but they also raise questions about authenticity and the future role of humans in tourism.
Have your say! Visitor economy confidence survey
Business NSW wants to hear how your business is tracking in this dynamic environment. What’s driving your success, and what challenges are holding you back?
Applications are open for business events partnership program
Applications are openfor Tourism Australia’s international business events partnership program, the Advance Program for 2025/26.
Tourism labour force quarterly results
Tourism jobs grew in the last 2 quarters of 2024, bringing the total to an all-time high of 713,500 filled jobs in the December quarter 2024. This was 17,500 (2.5%) higher than the number of jobs in the December quarter 2023.
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].
Going Grand along the South Coast and Southern Highlands – on the road with our BDM, Kylie
It’s been a busy and energising few weeks connecting with operators, exploring new experiences, and joining important industry conversations right across the region.
Alongside these visits, I’ve been part of some valuable regional discussions and industry gatherings, including:
TAFE Connects with Wingecarribee community event
Destination NSW’s Experience Development Workshop in Wollongong
Western Sydney Aviation Forum in Campbelltown
The Property Council of Australia’s Future of Regional Tourism, Illawarra
Go Grand Campaign launch supporting five LGAs
Business Southern Highlands AGM
And of course, connecting with many of you at our recent DSSS Symposium
It’s been fantastic to hear what’s happening on the ground, and there’s so much momentum building right across the region.
If you’d like to catch up for a chat, workshop an idea, or share what you’re working on, I’d love to connect….virtually or in person. You can book a time with me here: Book a time to connect
Western Sydney set to soar – key insights from the Aviation Forum
The recent Aviation Forum, hosted by the Western Sydney Tourism Taskforce, brought together government, aviation, and tourism leaders to explore the transformative potential of the soon-to-open Western Sydney International (WSI) Airport.
Set to welcome up to 10 million passengers annually by 2026, WSI is a catalyst for growth across Western Sydney and Regional NSW.
Top Insights:
The need for immediate investment in infrastructure and freight corridors to unlock export and agribusiness opportunities across regional NSW
A strong call for defining Western Sydney’s tourism identity to ensure it is more than just an airport, but a compelling destination
Urgency around packaging experiences and educating inbound tour operators, as planning cycles are already in motion for 2026
Confirmation from WSI and airlines that international connectivity is growing, but domestic networks will be key to its success
Key gaps in accommodation, workforce, and ground transport need attention to support 24/7 airport operation.
The takeaway from the forum was clear: the opportunity is immense, but action is needed now to prepare the region, industry, and infrastructure to fully capitalise on what WSI can deliver.
Image Credit: PepperGreen Estate
PepperGreen Estate ignites the senses at Vivid Fire Kitchen
PepperGreen Estate is proud to be participating in the 2025 Vivid Fire Kitchen alongside nine other winemakers, a dazzling fusion of open flame and fine wine. On June 2, PepperGreen Estate joined forces with award-winning Executive Chef Paul Farag, who will be served his signature fire-cooked Murray Cod, infused with bold Middle Eastern flavours.
The Regional Event Fundidentifies and supports events in regional NSW that have the potential to act as a ‘cornerstone’ or flagship tourism event for their area by attracting overnight visitation and delivering long term benefits to the region.
The Event Development stream supports events that have previously received the maximum funding permitted through the Flagship Event stream and can present a comprehensive strategy for future growth that includes the continued development of its tourism potential to drive overnight visitation to the event.
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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