Sydney is the world’s best festival and event city…and that’s official, according to the international organisation that judges such matters.
It’s the second year in a row that the Harbour City has won the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) World Festival and Event City Award, which was announced yesterday.
Sydney was deemed the best world’s best festival and event city for 2011 in the ‘over one million population’ category and will accept the award at this year’s IFEA 56th Annual Convention and Expo in Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris, said it was a source of great pride for Sydney to be named as the world’s best festival and event city.
“There is no doubt winning this award demonstrates Sydney‟s position as a world leading destination for events and tourism and confirms it as Australia‟s international city.
“Securing major events is a priority for the NSW Government and will help us achieve our goal of doubling tourist expenditure by 2020,” Mr Souris said.
President and CEO of IFEA, Steven Wood Schmader, said the international panel of judges had many great world cities to assess in the category, but decided Sydney stood out from the pack.
“Sydney won due to the community leadership and ongoing, concerted efforts and support to provide a positive local environment that is conducive to and encourages the success and growth of festivals and events,” Mr Schmader said.
This award comes off the back of a string of major event wins since the Liberals and Nationals came to Government in NSW.
Major event wins by Destination NSW for Sydney and NSW, including:
– Harry Potter: the exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum Sydney from November 2011 – March 2012, Sydney exclusive
– Richard III show starring Kevin Spacey at the Lyric Theatre, Sydney in December 2011, exclusive Sydney season
– Sydney is home to first-run musicals, including World Premiere of An Officer and a Gentleman from May 2012, Australian Premiere of ANNIE from January 2012, Australian Premiere The Addams Family from March 2013 and World Premiere of Strictly Ballroom from September 2013
– Tiger Woods to join an all-star line-up at this year‟s Australian Open Golf at The Lakes, Sydney from 10 – 13 November
– The Bledisloe Cup ten year deal, where at least one Bledisloe Cup game will be played in Sydney each year from 2012 to 2021
– Sydney International Rowing Regatta, including the opening rounds of the Samsung World Rowing Cup at Penrith in 2013 and 2014
– The first ever Australian Open of Surfing to be held in Manly in February 2012 in conjunction with Hurley and Billabong
– Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour held annually from March 2012
– Sydney secured three World Cup Qualifier Games in the lead up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup
– The Davis Cup World Group Play-off between Australia and Switzerland at Royal Sydney Golf Club
– 2015 Touch Football World Cup, including range of national and international Touch Football events from 2011 – 2015
– 2011 NAB AFL Draft secured for Western Sydney this November
– Australian Open Grand Prix Gold (Badminton) at Darling Harbour in April 2012, moved from Melbourne.
NSW Premier, Barry O’Farrell, said the award yet again proves that Sydney is Australia’s leading major events and tourist destination.
“We can all be proud of the recognition Sydney has received, placing it in its rightful position as the major events capital of Australia.
“Destination NSW, the state’s tourism and major events authority, is focused on strengthening the Events Calendar and upholding our position as the number one tourism and events city and state in Australia.
“Sydney is Australia’s global city and being honoured with such an award will drive even more visitors to our city and state,” he said.
SYDNEY NAMED WORLD’S BEST FESTIVAL AND EVENT CITY
