Tuesday 29 July, Cronulla RSL Gerrale Room

Start: Registration will open at 8:45am for 9am start

Finish: 12:00 with lunch and networking to follow

Cost: Free

Step into the future of tourism at the 2025 Sutherland Shire Visitor Economy Workshop, an annual event designed to inform, engage, and empower Sutherland Shire’s vibrant tourism businesses. For accommodation providers, hospitality, tour operators, and experience creators, this workshop is your chance to understand how you play a pivotal role in shaping and strengthening our local visitor economy.

Dive deep into the latest travel and consumer trends, discover opportunities to promote your business locally, state-wide, and nationally, and explore practical strategies to attract more visitors and elevate your offerings.

The Program;

Tourism Australia

Learn how the Sutherland Shire can better attract international visitors through key insights from the Future of Distribution Report. Distribution is the process of making tourism products and experiences available and accessible to potential customers through travel distributors or intermediaries.

These high-level insights will support you in responding to the rapidly evolving consumer dynamics and the global travel distribution landscape.

Also learn about brand new Tourism Australia marketing activity.

Destination NSW

First, hear from the Manager, Local Government – Greater Sydney, who will share insights from their latest marketing campaign and provide an update on how the visitor economy is delivering social and economic benefits for the Sutherland Shire.

Next, the Product Manager, Nature, Sustainability and Wellness, will showcase the NSW First Program, highlighting sustainability initiatives and resources available to support your business.

Tourism Tribe – AI & Tourism: What You Need to Know (and Do) Now

Take a deep dive into artificial intelligence in the visitor economy as we demystify all things AI. Learn how Google’s SGE and ChatGPT work, and how to optimise your website for AI-driven discovery. We’ll finish with a lightning round of practical, time-saving AI applications for admin, customer service, and daily operations — extending beyond marketing. Take away clear actions and a list of what to do next.

Connect with industry peers over morning tea and lunch and leave with the tools to future-proof your tourism business in an ever-evolving visitor landscape.

Don’t miss this essential opportunity to be inspired and stay ahead — join us and help shape the future of tourism in the Sutherland Shire.