Sydney and NSW Expands Luxury Tourism Product

Emirates One&Only's
Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa

New South Wales is capitalising on a $1.4 billion luxury travel market by showcasing its luxurious properties, world-class restaurants, gourmet wine and produce, wine, and unique experiences and events.

Luxury visitors accounted for 23 per cent of international visitors to the State in the year-ended December 2014. Last year they spent $1.4 billion in NSW and international luxury visitors were most likely to originate from China, USA, UK, Korea and New Zealand.

According to Destination NSW CEO, Sandra Chipchase, attracting luxury travellers requires the tourism operators to offer 'once-in-a-lifetime' experiences for time-poor visitors.

“We know that international luxury travellers are looking for an 'experience of a lifetime' and spend around 3.7 nights in luxury accommodation during their stay in our state. While their stay in high-end properties may be short, they ensure their break is a memorable one.

“Luxury tourism operators in NSW have responded by providing a suite of impressive accommodation and experiences. From celebrity-favourite Byron Bay in the north of the State, to the natural beauty of Lord Howe Island and the luxury of glamorous Sydney, there is an experience to tempt all luxury travellers,” Ms Chipchase said.

When it comes to luxury products on offer in NSW, the state boasts a diverse range of products including The Langham Sydney, The Byron at Byron Resort and Spa, Emirates One&Only's Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa and Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Park Hyatt, which are all currently participating in Tourism Australia's Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), alongside Destination NSW, the State Government's tourism and major events agency.

Some of the NSW's best luxury products on offer to domestic and international luxe lovers include:

The Langham Sydney

• The Langham Sydney which has just been ranked in the Top 100 Hotels of the World by luxury US connoisseur publication, Robb Report. Following a recent $30 million transformation, The Langham prides itself on providing a home away from home for its guests, with oversized guestrooms, pet-friendly suites and services and a $1 million art collection with works from Sidney Nolan, Andrew Browne, Albert Tucker and Brett Whiteley.
• Pretty Beach House is a perfect luxury winter escape, just 90 minutes' drive from Sydney's CBD. The indulgent hideaway has been meticulously restored after a two and a half year hiatus, offering a sophisticated take on casual Australian elegance. Pretty Beach House's four luxurious private pavilions and Main House all perch on seven and a half acres of oceanside bushland in spectacular Bouddi National Park. The property boasts an artisan-created interior with fine French porcelain, European linens and even hand-hewn mud bricks. Guests enjoy a daily menu of seasonal Italian cuisine under the direction of chef Stefano Manfredi.
• Sydney CBD's Sepia has just been named top restaurant in the Australian Financial Review's Top 100 Restaurants as well as being named 'restaurant to watch' on S.Pellegrino World's Best Restaurant List. The accolade is the next step in Sepia's remarkable rise including winning The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide award for Restaurant of the Year in 2015. In March, Sepia undertook a well-received 'takeover' of New York's legendary Le Bernardin restaurant, placing Sepia firmly on the international culinary radar. Chef Martin Benn's Japanese-inspired contemporary tasting menu evolves each week to suit available produce, and is always an extraordinary taste adventure.
• Sydney Seaplanes, based at Rose Bay, are the quintessential luxury lover's transport to and from an elite group of glamorous properties. Take off from the water for a trip along the northern beaches to dine at Jonah's Whale Beach, the only hotel that is part of the Relais & Chateaux collection in Sydney. Or fly to Berowra Waters Inn, one of Australia's most famous gastronomic destinations, on the pristine, tranquil banks of the Berowra River.
• Sydney has some fabulous penthouses such as Sydney Suite at the waterfront Park Hyatt. From this 350sqm super-suite, the panorama from the floor-to-ceiling glass walls is simply jaw-dropping. Add indoor/outdoor dining for up to eight people, a fully equipped kitchen, five TVs, a sauna and steam room, fireplace, and 24-hour butler service and you have a pretty spectacular place to rest your head. Plus there's the feature that had everyone talking when the suite was first unveiled: a toilet that plays music and has an inbuilt seat warmer, massager and deodoriser.

In addition to four and five star properties, visitors to NSW can also enjoy high-end events and experiences throughout the year including:

• HANDA Opera on Sydney Harbour, a spectacular annual event where an internationally renowned opera is performed outdoors with Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House as its backdrop
• Matilda The Musical, a multi-award winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company, inspired by the beloved book by the incomparable Roald Dahl, will have its Australian premiere in Sydney from July
• In 2015 the Emirates Australian Open will return to the prestigious Australian Golf Club from 26 - 29 November. The Australian Open is Australia's most prestigious golf championship, has a rich, century old history and the one event every player wants to win

For more information on luxury attractions, experiences and events in NSW, visit www.visitnsw.com and www.sydney.com.