Newcastle Tourism Industry Group (NTIG) kicks off the year with record-breaking members meeting.
Close to 150 movers and shakers of the local visitor economy gathered at The Station last night for Newcastle Tourism Industry Group’s first Members Meeting of 2025. The jam-packed list of speakers included NTIG Chair Dominic May, Dr Ross Kerridge, Lord Mayor and Councillor, City of Newcastle, and Glenn Caldwell, General Manager of Destination Sydney Surrounds North.
Following the successful Portside Festival last December, The Station will serve as the stage for Earp Distilling Co’s Over The Ditch Festival this weekend and attendees were able to experience the venue fully set up for the concert.
“We are excited to see our members turn out in such record numbers, and to welcome representatives from major stakeholders like City of Newcastle, Newcastle Airport, Committee for the Hunter, Hunter Valley Wine & Tourism Association, Destination Port Stephens, City of Maitland, DANTIA (Lake Macquarie’s economic development company), University of Newcastle and TAFE NSW,” said NTIG Chair Dominic May.
“This has been our biggest meeting yet. It’s an impressive vote of confidence for us to continue our work as a leading voice, driving and supporting Newcastle’s visitor economy.”
“This is not an easy time for hospitality and tourism operators. While Newcastle has recovered faster from the effects of the pandemic than other regional or metropolitan destinations, visitor numbers still sit 9% below COVID-19 levels. It is crucial that we continue our advocacy for growth and commercial success, that we support industry education and networking and foster sustainability and accessibility.”
“Not the least in preparation for Newcastle Airport’s international expansion, cross-regional collaboration has become another crucial strategic pillar for NTIG. We are working with and across all Hunter destinations for our first, major collaborative regional event, to be held on 24 July 2025 at Brokenwood Wines in the Hunter Valley. It is already shaping up to be the largest such event for tourism operators in the region.”
“Having the Lord Mayor join us at our first Members Meeting of the year was a welcome sign of support for the local visitor economy and the work of NTIG.”
City of Newcastle’s update was a strong endorsement of the significant economic impact of events to the city’s visitor economy. Venues NSW triggered excitement with the announcement of a record-breaking line-up of major sporting events at McDonald Jones Stadium in 2025.
Finally, attendees learned about Earp Distilling Co’s 2.6 million Dollar investment into the Portside and Over The Ditch Festivals, showcasing the family company’s commitment to and belief in Newcastle’s potential as a major events location.
“The two events are prime examples of what Newcastle’s visitor economy can achieve, when we all work together,” Dominic May concluded.
