- EXPRESSION OF INTEREST CLOSED -

Destination Sydney Surrounds South - Visitor Economy Development Mentoring Program

EOI applications are now closed for the Destination Sydney Surrounds South Visitor Economy Development Mentoring Program. Applications closed on Friday 1 April 2022. 

Delivered as a key milestone of the Export Ready Industry Development Program, Destination Sydney Surrounds South (DSSS) are excited to announce a new mentoring opportunity for local operators who are wanting to maximise opportunities as the international market returns. The New Zealand, United Kingdom and German markets have been identified as the key source markets for this region for self-drive, oyster, food, and drink experiences.

The Visitor Economy Development Mentoring Program has been designed to assist 10 tourism operators that support the development of the visitor economy through bookable food (including oyster) and drink experiences. The Program is being offered to tourism businesses that are working on their tourism experience and wanting to work with the domestic and international distribution marketplace within the Sydney Surrounds South region. For more information on eligibility, please refer to the below Program Information.

This Program is being provided free of charge to successful applicants and is funded by Destination Sydney Surrounds South. 

The aim of the Visitor Economy Development Mentoring Program is to ensure that businesses have the skills and resources to enhance their food (including oyster) and drink tourism experience for international markets. The goal is that businesses have a greater understanding of the business and tourism ecosystem, are connected in with local, regional and state tourism bodies, in particular Destination NSW, have improved their digital presence and tourism experience, have an understanding of the international distribution marketplace and are building their offering to meet the needs of new markets through access to a wide range of resources.  

To deliver this specialised project, DSSS is partnering with independent mentors, tourism and business experts Sparrowly Group. Sparrowly Group has deep experience in building and growing destinations and businesses globally.

The Program includes tailored and bespoke one-on-one and small group mentoring sessions delivered over a three-month period. The Program has been designed to be delivered online in a hybrid mentoring format across five (5) sessions which will include:

  • Two (2) x group sessions with the mentoring team

  • Three (3) x one-on-one sessions with your mentor.

If you have any questions regarding the Program, please contact Aaron Matis, Industry Development Manager at aaron.matis@dnsss.com.au.

Program Information

Eligibility

There are 10 places available for operators including food and beverage businesses, tour operators, tourist attractions, transport operators and accommodation providers. Businesses will need to demonstrate how their experience services the high value traveller.

This Program is not suitable for sports clubs, pubs, bars or restaurants that can not offer a bookable food and beverage experience for the international market. Start-ups are not eligible for this Program. 

The Program is only available to businesses in the DSSS region, this includes the following six Local Government Areas (LGAs):

  • Kiama

  • Shellharbour

  • Shoalhaven

  • Wingecarribee 

  • Wollondilly 

  • Wollongong. 

Successful business will also be considered for content development including photo and video shoot and delivery of footage for use in your business marketing.*

*To be confirmed, based on previous approval into the National Experience Content Initiative programming and/or the business’s existing content.

Program

Participants will be required to commit to attending all mentoring sessions (group and one-on-one) and spend additional time (approximately two to three hours a week) to work on agreed mentoring actions and to prepare for mentoring sessions to ensure you get the most out of the Program. This includes:

  • The two online group sessions will include video content and reading material to consume ahead of the live session that will take approximately one-hour to complete. 

  • The group sessions will be 1 hour each. Note that these will not be recorded so it is vital you attend to get the most out of the Program. The first group session will be held on Tuesday 3 May 2022 at 11 am and the second will be held on Tuesday 24 May at 11 am. You must be available on these dates and times to be eligible for the Program.  

  • Before your three one-to-one mentoring sessions there will be video content and reading material to view ahead of time to ensure the mentoring session is as efficient as possible. This pre-work is important to be undertaken before each session and plays an important role in helping you succeed in achieving your business goals.

Supporting the mentoring journey, mentees will have access to a suite of practical workshop style webinars, tools and resources as well as ongoing support from your mentor. In addition, Industry Development Workshops will be delivered across the region in April 2022 (more information will be provided soon).

Once successful businesses are onboarded, they will be asked to complete a Business Health Check which is a high-level review of your business and its performance to date including operations, products and experiences, marketing, distribution, customer relations, staffing and profitability. The Business Health Check will be completed online and is a self-assessment tool for business owners. The purpose of the Business Health Check is to identify business strengths, weaknesses and opportunities, and assign you with a suitable mentor.