By 2024, the Hunter will host an international airport, offering a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the region’s economic growth and diversification.
The Hunter Global Tourism project was borne out of the Hunter Global summit. Hosted by the Hunter JO in February 2022, the two-day summit was held to activate the entire region by providing a platform for stakeholders to come together and collaboratively identify the opportunities for the Hunter arising from the enhanced international connectivity that an upgraded Newcastle Airport will provide.
The whole-of-region summit also provided opportunities to co-design strategies and a way forward to ensure the region is activated to capitalise on international connectivity. Summit delegates heard from aviation industry specialists and senior leaders in government and business about the global avenues the Airport offers to the region.
The summit identified three key priority areas that will support achievement of the Hunter Global vision through driving and curating the opportunity to grow certain products and services into new markets:
1. Foundational Actions necessary to underpin the future establishment of both above and below the wing opportunities
2. Above the Wing Actions focused on tourism, education, business, and talent attraction opportunities
3. Below the Wing Actions focused on import and export opportunities for freight and cargo
Hunter Global Tourism
Partnering with Destination Sydney Surrounds North and Newcastle Airport, the Hunter Global Tourism project aims to develop a marketing strategy and infrastructure business case to understand the opportunities and investment required to increase international visitation to the region. It will help identify how we position, brand, and market our region to attract more international visitors. This project is leveraging the opportunities that will come from the Newcastle Airport upgrade.
Outcomes of the Hunter Global Tourism project:
- Marketing Strategy – Develop a region-wide destination branding approach and Marketing Strategy to attract international visitors and increase their length of stay.
- Business Case for Infrastructure Development – Identify the highest priority infrastructure our region needs to increase visitation and develop a concept plan and business case
All 10 Member Councils are involved in this project.
For more information on the Hunter Global Tourism project, please contact Kim Carland at kimc@hunterjo.com.au
The Hunter Global Tourism project is funded by the Regional NSW – Business Case and Strategy Development Fund (BCSD)
