Destination Sydney Surrounds South

10/06/2026

🌿 This Saturday, 13 June, is Global Wellness Day!

NSW is home to some fantastic wellness experiences, and many right here in our region are part of the Well Traveller partnership – a curated collection of retreats and experiences designed to help visitors slow down and restore.

👉 Explore wellness experiences in our region through Well Traveller: https://www.welltraveller.com.au/destinations/australia/new-south-wales/

👉 Find out how to get involved in Global Wellness Day 2026: https://www.destinationnsw.com.au/newsroom/get-involved-in-global-wellness-day-2026

If you're a local operator with a wellness offering not yet listed, now's the perfect time to get on the map. Just submit your experience via Destination NSW's Experience Update form: https://destinationnsw.tfaforms.net/f/experience-update

And join us on Thursday, 18 June at Crooked River Estate, Gerringong for an in-person wellness workshop! This interactive 3-hour workshop, delivered in partnership with Droga & Co. is designed to help businesses translate wellness trends into tangible, market-ready experiences.
👉 https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/wellness-experience-development-workshop-tickets-1986281544569?aff=oddtdtcreator



📸 : Destination NSW

03/06/2026

What a day! 🥳

Our 2026 Visitor Economy Symposium, held last week at The Pavilion Kiama, was our biggest turnout yet, and we are so grateful to every single person who joined us.

From the incredible conversations to the inspiring sessions, days like this remind us why we love working in this beautiful region. Check out the wrap up video below to relive the highlights!

You'll find all the event presentations, resources and photos on our website: https://dnsss.com.au/industry-news/visitor-economy-symposium-2026-resources/

Thank you to our speakers, partners, and every attendee who made the day so special.

And mark your calendars for June next year! Next year's Symposium will be taking place at the brand new Crowne Plaza Shell Cove on 2 June 2027. We can't wait to see you there!

28/05/2026

The best kind of mid-Symposium news drop. 🏆

We were barely halfway through yesterday's Visitor Economy Symposium when word came through that not one, but TWO of our own had taken out 2026 NSW Top Tourism Town awards.

Kiama took home Gold in the over-5,000 population category for the third consecutive year, earning Hall of Fame status and joining Huskisson, which made history in 2025 with the same achievement. And Wollongong nabbed Bronze in the same category!🥉

Congratulations to everyone who played a part. We're incredibly proud of you!

20/05/2026

Symposium Speaker Spotlight - one week to go!

We're thrilled to welcome Karen Jones, CEO of Destination NSW, to the stage next Wednesday at our 2026 Visitor Economy Symposium.

Karen has more than 28 years of leadership experience in state and local government. Destination NSW is the lead agency, champion and voice for the NSW visitor economy. She is passionate about developing and marketing the state's world-class visitor experiences to ensure NSW remains Australia's top destination and events capital.

At the Symposium, you'll hear Karen speak to the progress and priorities of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, followed by a Fireside Chat facilitated by Lyndel Gray, Chair of DSSS. This is a great opportunity to hear directly from the person helping to drive the state's vision for a stronger, more competitive visitor economy.

📅 Wednesday 27 May 2026 · The Pavilion, Kiama

🎟️ Secure your spot (there's only 20 tickets left, so don't miss out!): https://dsss-visitor-economy-symposium-2026.eventbrite.com.au/

$30 per person — or just $20 each when you bring a colleague (use code BRINGAFRIEND at checkout)

19/05/2026

Just over a week to go until our 2026 Visitor Economy Symposium, and we can't wait!

On Wednesday 27 May, we're bringing the region's visitor economy together for a day of practical insights, collaboration, and the kind of conversations that move the needle.

We're especially excited to have Peter Firth (Director, Fiftyfive5, part of Accenture Song) joining us for his session Data and Your Decision-Making — exploring how to harness the power of data to uncover your best prospects, craft experiences that keep them coming back, and make the most of the DNSW resources available to you.

We'll also hear from Karen Jones (CEO, Destination NSW), Coralie McCarthy (Director, Business Illawarra), Despina Karatzias (Institute of Excellence), and more.

👇 Check out the video below to hear from Peter...he's looking forward to seeing you in Kiama!

📋 View the full program:https://dnsss.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/DSSS_Visitor-Economy-Symposium-2026_Program_FINAL-1.pdf

🎟️ Secure your spot: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/dsss-visitor-economy-symposium-2026-tickets-1985112811858?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tickets are $30 per person, or just $20 each when you bring a colleague (use code BRINGAFRIEND at checkout).

15/05/2026

We are really looking forward to this session… grab your tickets - see you there 🤩

13/05/2026

Exactly two weeks to go until our 2026 Visitor Economy Symposium, and we can't wait!

On Wednesday 27 May, we're bringing the region's visitor economy together for a day of practical insights, collaboration, and the kind of conversations that move the needle.

Hear from Karen Jones (CEO, Destination NSW), Peter Firth (Director, Fiftyfive5, part of Accenture Song), Coralie McCarthy (Director, Business Illawarra), Despina Karatzias Karatzis (Institute of Excellence), and more.

👇 Check out the video below to hear from Robert Pennicott from Pennicott Wilderness Journeys. He'll be talking about how he built a multi-award-winning tourism business and the lessons that translate directly to your business.

📋 View the full program:https://dnsss.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/DSSS_Visitor-Economy-Symposium-2026_Program_EXTERNAL-FINAL.pdf

🎟️ Secure your spot: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/dsss-visitor-economy-symposium-2026-tickets-1985112811858?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tickets are $30 per person, or just $20 each when you bring a colleague (use code BRINGAFRIEND at checkout). See you in Kiama!

13/05/2026

08/05/2026

Our 2026 Visitor Economy Symposium is back in Kiama!

Here's why The Pavilion Kiama keeps earning its place on our calendar:
✅ The Views: Ocean backdrop, world-class event space...it just sets the tone before the day even begins!
✅ The Location: Right in the heart of our region, making it an easy trip for operators near and far
✅ The Extras: Brilliant coastal dining, great accommodation options, and a town worth exploring while you're there.

Happening in less than 3 short weeks, this one's shaping up to be unmissable. We hope to see you there!

📅 Wednesday 27 May 2026
⏰ 8:30am – 4:30pm
📍 The Pavilion, Kiama

Tickets are just $30, and if you bring a colleague, you both pay only $20pp. Use code BRINGAFRIEND at checkout. Register here 👉 https://dsss-visitor-economy-symposium-2026.eventbrite.com.au/

05/05/2026

Two things on our radar for businesses in the Illawarra this week 👇

👉 Have your say with the latest Business NSW Conditions Survey
Businesses across NSW are navigating a lot right now with rising fuel costs and supply chain pressures. The Business NSW Business Conditions Survey captures what's really happening and feeds directly into advocacy that makes a difference.
Take the survey: https://lnkd.in/gu5-PYT4

👉 Entries are open for the 2026 IMB Bank Illawarra Business Awards
Now in its 32nd year, the Illawarra's most prestigious business awards are back! Categories span leadership, innovation, culture, sustainability, the visitor economy and more, with recognition across all business sizes. If you know a business or team doing outstanding work, this is their chance to be nominated!
Find out more and enter: https://lnkd.in/g2kgKKpQ