Welcome to the March edition of Southern Snapshot.
This month’s update highlights continued momentum across Southern NSW, from new visitor experiences and industry-led collaboration to national sector insights providing context for planning and development.
As businesses look ahead, the focus remains on strengthening foundations, including governance, capability, digital presence and operational systems, to ensure sustainable growth in a competitive and evolving market.
Alongside regional highlights and engagement activity, this edition brings together practical tools, funding opportunities and early Tourism Awards preparation to support operators in building resilient, high-performing businesses.
Destination Southern Team
Strategy. Advocacy. Capacity. Capability. Destination Southern delivers the foundations of a strong visitor economy. Email | Website | LinkedIn
Banner Image: Couple enjoying a morning coffee at Mitchies Jetty and Cafe, Merimbula | Credit Destination NSW
Who is Destination Southern?
Destination Southern is one of seven Destination Networks funded by the NSW Government to strengthen the visitor economy across Southern NSW. Guided by our Board and small regionally-based team, we focus on four key activities that deliver local and regional impact:
Whilst we provide strategy, advocacy and coordination, and build industry capacity and capability to support long-term visitor economy growth, consumer marketing is delivered by councils and Destination NSW.
On the Ground
Advocacy and Coordination in Action
Dana Ronan and participants at the Eurobodalla Botanic Garden Workshop | Credit Richard Everson
Social Impact of Tourism Pilot – Measuring What Matters
Destination Southern has completed a regional pilot exploring the social impact of tourism and mountain biking across Southern NSW.
Delivered in partnership with Nourish Group and Australian Regional Tourism, the project moved beyond economic metrics to better understand tourism’s contribution to community wellbeing. Workshops held in Mogo, Eden, Jindabyne and Queanbeyan, supported by regional surveys, examined a central question:
What difference does tourism or mountain biking make to people who live here?
Across participating communities:
80–91% of respondents view tourism positively
89% view mountain biking positively
Stronger neighbourhood connection, employment satisfaction and increased physical activity were identified as key outcomes
Using nationally recognised wellbeing valuation methodology, the pilot identified indicative annual per-person wellbeing values ranging from $14,443 to $36,593, depending on location and outcomes measured.
It strengthens the evidence base for investment conversations, funding applications and strategic planning, helping ensure visitor economy growth remains aligned with community values across Southern NSW.
Tourism operators from the northern Bega Valley area are invited to attend an informal industry gathering hosted by Destination Southern’s Industry Development Manager, Jenny Robb.
The session will bring together operators from Brogo, Bermagui, Cobargo and surrounding areas to connect with Destination Southern, learn more about the support available through Destination NSW and local tourism organisations, and share insights about their role in the region’s visitor economy.
The gathering will include introductions, a short overview of Destination Southern’s role, discussion about how regional and state tourism organisations work together, and an opportunity for questions and informal networking.
The session explored the growing potential of mountain biking and cycling events across the region, highlighting opportunities for tourism operators and hospitality businesses to benefit from increasing participation in the sport. The discussion also reinforced the strong regional interest in developing cycling experiences and events that attract visitors while supporting local economies.
The visitor experience at Mimosa Wines has expanded with the addition of boutique accommodation across its 200-acre vineyard estate between Bermagui and Tathra.
The development includes five off-grid yet powered glamping lodges and two private cottages, all within walking distance of the award-winning restaurant and cellar door. Set among vineyard and bushland surrounds, the accommodation strengthens Mimosa’s stay-and-dine offering and supports extended visitation to the Sapphire Coast.
The expansion adds depth to the region’s boutique accommodation mix, catering to couples, wedding guests and small group stays.
Would you like to share your new product, experience or event? Contact your Industry Development Manager to learn more.
Industry Insights
Sector Trends, Insights & Business Implications
Significant tourism infrastructure investment
Tourism Research Australia’s latest Tourism Investment Monitor 2024–25 identifies 363 projects, each valued at more than $20 million, in the national pipeline. The combined investment of $74.5 billion is an increase of $11.1 billion and 17 additional projects compared to the previous year.
The scale of the pipeline signals sustained long-term investment momentum across Australia’s visitor economy, strengthening market confidence, capacity and competitiveness. For operators in Southern NSW, understanding this broader investment landscape helps inform planning, partnership opportunities and long-term positioning within an evolving national sector.
Tourism remains a key national industry
The December National Tourism Satellite Account (NTSA), confirms tourism remains a significant contributor to Australia’s economy, accounting for 2.9% of national GDP in 2024–25. The report shows tourism GDP grew to $81.1 billion, up 3.8% year-on-year. Tourism employment increased by 3.6% to 696,000 jobs, representing approximately one in every 23 Australian jobs.
These national indicators reinforce tourism’s ongoing economic importance and provide important context for regional operators planning for growth and workforce sustainability.
Cutting hospitality red tape
The NSW Government has announced a review into regulatory interactions affecting cafés, restaurants and small food retailers, with a focus on reducing duplication, simplifying approvals and clarifying compliance requirements.
For operators, the review signals potential improvements to licensing, reporting and inspection processes, while maintaining existing safety and consumer protection standards.
Tourism forecasts signal continued growth
The Office of Tourism and the Visitor Economy’s Tourism Forecasts 2025–2030 outlines expected trends in international and domestic visitation and expenditure through to 2030.
The forecasts provide breakdowns by purpose of travel, key source markets and state-level domestic performance, with overall projections indicating continued growth. Forward-looking data provides important context for tourism operators considering pricing, product development and market targeting over the medium term.
Western Sydney International Airport
Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport is scheduled to commence passenger flights in October 2026, with confirmed launch partners including Qantas, Jetstar, Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand. As the new 24-hour airport comes online, expanded aviation capacity is expected to accelerate domestic and international visitation across Greater Sydney and regional NSW, supporting the state’s long-term visitor economy growth targets.
National data provides context, noting that local conditions may vary across subregions.
Upskill & Connect
Strengthening Operator Capability
Eurobodalla Industry Engagement – Rock Oyster Trail
Eurobodalla Shire Council will host an Industry Engagement Event in Narooma focused on progressing a regional Rock Oyster Trail concept.
Building on the profile of the Narooma Oyster Festival, the session will explore opportunities to develop an experience trail that integrates local food and beverage with complementary offerings such as cycling and nature-based experiences. The event will outline the proposed concept, introduce emerging regional partnerships and identify practical opportunities for industry participation.
Tourism Australia has launched a four-part webinar series exploring how artificial intelligence and digital change are reshaping the way travellers search, discover and book.
Two sessions are now available to watch on demand:
Each webinar requires separate registration via the links provided.
For operators reviewing digital strategy, marketing or distribution in 2026, the series provides practical insights into how AI and search trends are influencing traveller behaviour.
Breaking Transport Barriers to Employment
Transport remains one of the most persistent barriers to employment across regional Australia. To address this, the Work Transit Alliance Webinar provides key insights from employers and jobseekers and practical recommendations to improve access to employment.
Find out more about the Work Transit Alliance here.
Opportunities to Grow
Business Growth and Investment Opportunities
Tourism Awards – strengthening your foundations now
Nominations for the NSW and Canberra Region tourism awards will open in the coming months. Now is the ideal time to prepare the business foundations that underpin a strong submission.
Both the NSW Tourism Awards and Canberra Region Tourism Awards assess far more than a written response. Judges look at business standards, digital presence, consumer reviews, workforce practices, risk management and operational systems.
Before entries open, consider whether you have:
A current business and marketing plan
Clear evidence of performance and growth
Documented HR policies and staff development processes
A current risk management framework
Defined environmental and sustainability practices
At least 25 online reviews
An accessible, up to date website and active digital presence
Preparing this material now will strengthen both your award entry and your overall business capability.
Destination Southern is available to provide one-on-one guidance as you prepare.
Contact your Industry Development Manager to discuss support options:
Quick Response Grants provide monthly funding (February to November) for short-notice arts and cultural opportunities in regional and remote areas (MM2–MM7). Individuals can apply for up to $3,000 and organisations up to $5,000 to support professional development, skills development and time-sensitive creative projects.
Applications close 11:59pm on the last day of each month | More info
SEP Kickstart Grant Program – Round 2
The Special Entertainment Precinct (SEP) Kickstart Grant Program supports NSW councils to establish and implement Special Entertainment Precincts, embedding best-practice night-time precinct management and safety principles. Grants from $20,000 to $250,000 are available to support strategic planning, community engagement and technical work, with optional additional funding to explore Purple Flag accreditation.
Applications close 13 April 2026 (2pm) | More info
Destination Southern NSW acknowledges the many Aboriginal Nations and Aboriginal People of the Southern NSW 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, present and emerging. Destination Southern NSW 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.
Destination Southern NSW Ltd is supported by the NSW Government and Destination NSW
Destination Southern NSW, PO Box 1025, Goulburn, NSW 2580, Australia
