The New South Wales wine sector will benefit from a $2 million marketing campaign aimed at boosting international visits to the state’s wine regions, thanks to support from the Australian Government’s $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package (the $50m Package) and the New South Wales Government.
The NSW Wine Industry Association (NSWWIA) has secured $1 million in funding through the International Wine Tourism State Grants program and $1 million in matching state funds through the NSW Government to partner with Destination NSW on a targeted international marketing campaign.
The NSWWIA and Destination NSW marketing campaign aims to increase international tourists’ overnight stays in NSW wine regions by 12,000 nights in both 2019 and 2020.
Wine Australia Chief Executive Officer Andreas Clark said the NSW application was approved by the Australian Government following assessment by an independent Expert Assessment Panel.
‘The $5 million state grants program is designed to enhance wine tourism experiences and drive collaboration between key sector partners.
‘Wine is a key driver of international visitors to Australia but there’s a relatively untapped opportunity for the wine sector to focus on wine tourism product development. To grow the visitor economy, we need compelling experiences that go beyond the cellar door.
‘By partnering with Destination NSW on a targeted marketing campaign, the NSWWIA is ensuring the ongoing resilience and competitiveness of the NSW wine tourism sector’, he said.
NSWWIA Executive Officer Angus Barnes said, ‘The strategy targets the four largest markets for international visitor to NSW: China (16 per cent), South Korea (15 per cent), the United Kingdom (14 per cent) and the USA (12 per cent) and it is tailored to individual regional preferences within these markets.
‘We’ll be using critical data to understand current drivers and visit trends, so we can reposition NSW wines and regional experiences with a sophisticated and targeted marketing campaign.
‘Our campaign has two primary goals – to attract more international visitors to our wine regions and to grow the visitor economy by driving overnight stays and increased spending’, he said.
Background
The $5 million International Wine Tourism State Grants program requires applicants to provide matching funding on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Applications under the program are assessed by an independent Expert Assessment Panel, in accordance with the grant guidelines. Grants are approved by the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Hon David Littleproud MP.
More information about the $50m Package is available at erwsp.wineaustralia.com
For media enquiries please contact
Alex Burgener
Media/PR
NSW Wine Industry Association
Phone: +61 404 900 961
Email: media@nswwine.com.au
Amelia Harris
Communications Manager, $50m Package
Wine Australia
Phone: +61 437 714 571Email: amelia.harris@wineaustralia.com
About Wine Australia
Wine Australia supports a competitive wine sector by investing in research, development and extension (RD&E), growing domestic and international markets, protecting the reputation of Australian wine and administering the Export and Regional Wine Support Package.
Wine Australia is an Australian Commonwealth Government statutory authority, established under the Wine Australia Act 2013, and funded by grape growers and winemakers through levies and user-pays charges and the Australian Government, which provides matching funding for RD&E investments.