Resources
Sydney Surrounds South
Destination Management Plan 2022-2030
The DSSS Board and Team is delighted to share the newly launched Sydney Surrounds South Destination Management Plan 2030 (DMP).
The DMP creates a collaborative framework to guide the work of local, regional and state tourism stakeholders to grow, develop and promote the region’s visitor economy to 2030 and contribute to the NSW Government’s target to achieve $25 billion in visitor expenditure by 2030. The document sets out five strategic objectives and an associated plan of action for the region from 2022 to 2030, reflecting current market trends and local priorities, and aligning with NSW Government’s Visitor Economy Strategy 2030.
The Sydney Surrounds South DMP is one of seven documents forming the suite of plans for regional NSW, developed in consultation with one another the collection is a first for the Destination Networks. Bringing these DMPs together is the overarching framework ‘Growing the Regional NSW Visitor Economy to 2030’, access this document here.
Recovery Support for Flood-affected Communities
Our hearts go out to anyone who was impacted by the recent flooding.
Please know that disaster assistance is now available in the Blue Mountains, Camden, Hawkesbury, Kiama, Liverpool, Penrith, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Sutherland, Upper Lachlan, Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Wollongong Local Government Areas following the impact of flooding from 5 April 2024.
This assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) and includes help for individuals and businesses.
Access the Service NSW Disaster Assistance Finder or call Service NSW on 13 77 88 for information on relief assistance and support for businesses impacted by natural disasters.
NSW Choose Tourism Program
A $1.4 million campaign to encourage young people, First Nations Australians, seniors and people living with a disability to pursue a career in tourism is being rolled out across regional NSW.
Funded by the Australian Government and delivered by Destination NSW, the NSW Choose Tourism Program will address industry workforce shortages by encouraging Australians to pursue a career in the visitor economy while helping operators retain and upskill their staff.
Expanding on the success of the 2022–23 pilot program, the South Coast Centre of Excellence, the new rollout will include five diverse initiatives to help bolster the tourism sector workforce in regional areas across the state.
The initiatives include a schools program, targeted career promotion, vocational webinars, mentoring by industry leaders and professional development events.
The Choose Tourism Grant Program funding will also support a partnership with TAFE NSW to develop bespoke visitor economy training programs.
This joint initiative underscores the continued importance of addressing workforce challenges and supports the Australian Government’s commitment to THRIVE 2030 – Australia’s national strategy for the long-term sustainable growth of the visitor economy.
Visitor Economy Jobs & Skills Connector
A resource has been developed to support operators across the Illawarra and South Coast, to fill jobs and access skills for current and new staff.
Finding skilled staff is an common and overwhelming challenge, the Visitor Economy Jobs and Skills Connector aims to outline the various staff recruitment services and initiatives, as well as skills and training resources available for operators across the region.
Developed by sector stakeholders, including Destination Sydney Surrounds South, as part of the Local Jobs Program.
Who’s Who in Tourism
The Sparrowly Group runs free webinars to help businesses refine key areas from supply chain management to accounting to improving accessibility. This practical and succinct workshop webinar provides businesses with an overview of the tourism ecosystem and how you can work with each organisation.
DSSS Destination Drop In Series
Webinars & Quick Interviews
In acknowledgment of the tough times being faced by our industry, we have put together the industry support series ‘Destination Drop In’.
The series will include sessions on mental health and wellbeing, practical chats on government assistance, getting grant ready and preparing to launch back with gusto.
Catch up with Aaron Matis, our Industry Development Manager, as he chats with business owners and operators, as well as government and non-government industry stakeholders.
Plans & Strategies
DSSS Destination Management Plan 2022-2030
Creates a collaborative framework to guide the work of local, regional and state tourism stakeholders to grow, develop and promote the region’s visitor economy to 2030 and contribute to the NSW Government’s target to achieve $25 billion in visitor expenditure by 2030.
NSW Charter for Small Business Action Plan
This action plan explains how the NSW Government will deliver the 6 principles of the Charter, including the most important steps the NSW Government is taking to support small business.
DSSS Business Plan 2024-2025
The principal role of DSSS is Destination Management, with key activities being to develop and implement a Destination Management Plan for the DSSS region and carry out its operations in accordance with the company’s constitution. This business plan outlines the company’s goals and objectives for the current financial year, and highlights the strategies to achieve them.
NSW Statewide Destination Management Plan
The Statewide DMP is designed to provide a high level framework to achieve alignment across NSW and assist coordinated delivery of the vision and goals for the NSW visitor economy.
Visitor Economy Strategy 2030
The NSW Government’s Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 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.
20-Year Economic Vision for Regional NSW
Released in 2018, the Vision sets out the Government’s priorities and plans to achieve long-term social and economic success for regional communities across the state.
The document 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.
Destination NSW Resources
NSW First Program
Destination NSW delivers the NSW First program to assist NSW tourism businesses to develop, promote and sell their tourism products. It includes face-to-face workshops and online webcasts with a focus on free online and on-demand content, to cater to busy round-the-clock tourism businesses across NSW.
On-demand webcasts offer ‘how-to’ insights on a range of topics for the tourism industry, with face-to-face events added throughout the year.
Get Connected
Get Connected is Destination NSW’s website membership program. Simple and easy to use Get Connected membership is free and is open to all tourism operators within NSW.
With Get Connected, Destination NSW gives you the opportunity to showcase your tourism products on Destination NSW consumer websites FREE of charge and tap into over 1.8 million potential customers a month, both domestic and international – that’s 22 million people a year who are looking for tourism products.
Content Library
Media and industry operators can search and download images for free from Destination NSW’s content library.
The collection is constantly being updated and includes great images of city and regional destinations, experiences and events.
Meet in Regional NSW
A website to showcase the array of business event venues and destinations in regional NSW. Plan your next business event or get involved and grow your business in this exciting sector of the State’s economy.
Quick Tips for Creating Sustainable Experiences
This list of quick tips compiled by Destination NSW is a resource designed for operators at every stage of their business, to help gain a better understanding of the tourism industry and develop sustainable tourism products.
Business Support
Destination NSW has an extensive range of business development resources available to assist tourism operators and related businesses in the tourism and events industry. This resource provides tools, knowledge and resources to help businesses promote NSW destinations and experiences in Australia and beyond.
Research & Insights
Value of Tourism to Sydney Surrounds South
Prepared by Destination NSW based on National Visitor Survey data, the Value of Tourism report outlines the important contribution of the visitor economy to our local economy. During the year ending 31 December 2022, the region has 11.3M visitors who stayed 11.4M nights and spent almost $3.3B.
Destination NSW
Destination NSW is the lead provider in NSW of the latest statistical data and analysis to assist the tourism industry.
Find the facts, figures and tourism insights you need to understand the latest trends in domestic and international tourism arrivals to NSW.
Tourism Research Australia
Australia’s leading provider of quality tourism intelligence across both international and domestic markets to equip industry with information to strengthen their marketing and business decisions.