The New York State Division of Tourism Delegation, in partnership with Beyond the Big Apple and Discover Long Island, has launched a multiple city mission to promote the state’s tourism to Australian audiences.
They began on the Gold Coast, where they engaged with key partners in a networking lunch. Following that, the delegation moved on to host a series of travel trade events in Brisbane and Sydney.
The team collaborated with Expedia TAAP to host an agent breakfast with some of their top selling retail and wholesale partners in Brisbane. In Sydney, they conducted sales calls with some key partners and another Expedia TAAP agent event with a three-course dinner at the Bistro George.
A highlight of the Sydney visit was the delegation’s participation in the Good Food & Wine Show, where they hosted media and trade VIPs, partnered with Australian celebrity chef Kirsten Tibballs who created a New York State-inspired apple pie using Crown Maple Maple Syrup from the Hudson Valley and the states abundance of apple orchards.
They also appeared live on Channel 7 Sunrise during the weekend weather segment with James Tobin. A competition was also held, in conjunction with United Airlines, to win a trip to New York State featuring nights in New York City, Dutchess County and Long Island, as well as Dinner at the iconic Culinary Institute of America, and a Sake Tasting at Dasssai Blue in the Hudson Valley.
NYS collaborated with Hudson Valley’s Harney & Sons Fine Tea for some Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea tastings, and Finger Lakes winery Living Roots Wine & Co, who offered reislings, chardonnay, and pinot gris as samples to promote the state as the 3rd largest wine region in the USA.
“With 11 diverse regions extending from Long Island’s famous The Hamptons, to the roaring waters of Niagara Falls, and from the bright lights of New York City, to the art and history of the Hudson Valley, there are so many reasons to Love New York State,” New York State Division of Tourism account director, AU & NZ., Michael Cassis, said.
“This past week we were thrilled to showcase the full breadth of the State with our Australian partners, and drive more inquiry to our trade community through our large-scale activation at the Good Food & Wine Show Sydney.
“New York State is a culinary destination like no other. It’s the original home of favourites like buffalo wings, thousand island dressing, club sandwiches and New York-style pizza by the slice. And it has one of the largest wine, craft beer and distilleries industries in the USA. So, partnering with the Good Food & Wine Show and the extraordinary Kirsten Tibballs from Savour was a culinary pairing made to perfection.”
The mission continues to New Zealand with several more events planned in Auckland.