Summer in Regional NSW is the place to be, with an impressive calendar of major events confirmed for the summer period.

According to new data from NSW Government's tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, a total visitor spend of $28 million is expected to be generated into the NSW economy as a result of 10 major regional events taking place between December 2014 to February 2015. 

Minister for Regional Tourism John Barilaro said, “Regional NSW is set to host 10 major events this summer that have been secured or supported by the NSW Government through Destination NSW. These events will take place across the State, from Parkes, to Tamworth, the Snowy Mountains and beyond, and are expected to attract 190,000 people and generate more than $28 million in visitor spend. In addition to this, Destination NSW is forecasting that 26 million international, domestic overnight, and day trip visitors will visit Regional NSW between  October 2014 to March 2015, taking in the peak summer period.”

From the quirky to the competitive, the line up this summer will showcase an exciting range of events and entertainment across Regional NSW, ranging from world-class festivals, concerts to international sporting events – appealing to the young and the young at heart.

Highlights of the regional events calendar include the largest multi-sports youth games in the world, the International Children's Games taking place in Lake Macquarie in December, and one of the world's leading music festivals, the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January where multi Grammy award winner Kenny Rogers is set to rock Tamworth, along with Golden Guitar winners and Aussie favourites Paul Kelly and Kasey Chambers.

With five World Heritage areas, 14 official wine regions, 850 national parks and reserves and 720 stunning beaches - summer is the perfect time of year to explore Regional NSW with family and friends, while enjoying the vast range of fantastic events on offer.

Destination NSW Regional NSW Summer Statistics:

• $28 million – The total visitor spend expected across the 10 events taking place in Regional NSW from December 2014 – February 2015.
• 190,000 – The total number of people including visitors who are anticipated to attend the 10 events being held between December 2014 – February 2015.
• Around 26 million international and domestic overnight and day trip visitors have visited Regional NSW during the October to March quarter each year over the last five years, and these numbers are expected again in 2014-2015.

Regional NSW Summer Event Highlights:

International Children's Games
The largest multi-sports youth games in the world, the International Children's Games (ICG) is a recognised member of the International Olympic Committee, delivering a unique sport and cultural experience for young people.  Approximately 1,500 athletes between the ages of 12 and 15 will participate in this prestigious event, representing 80 cities from 30 countries around the world.
Location: Lake Macquarie, NSW
Date: 6 – 11 December 2014

Parkes Elvis Festival
An expected 18,000+ Elvis fans will convene for a dazzling array of events in the town of Parkes to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Elvis Presley's birth in January.  A five-day program of events will feature main stage entertainment, look-a-like contests, a Tribute to Elvis Competition, The Elvis Street Parade and more than 150 unique Elvis-style events.
Location: Parkes, NSW
Date: 7 – 11 January 2015

AFC Asian Cup 2015
The 16 best teams in Asia will meet in Sydney and Newcastle in January 2015 to compete for the AFC Asian Cup, the most sought-after trophy in Asian football. Newcastle will host four world-class matches.
Location: Newcastle Stadium, NSW
Date: 10 – 31 January 2015 (12, 17, 27 & 30 January in Newcastle)

Toyota Country Music Festival Tamworth
Rated as one of the top 10 music festivals in the world, all roads lead to Tamworth for the annual Toyota Country Music Festival in January 2015.  The variety of country music is endless during the festival, with over 4,000 different performances taking place across 10 days.
Location: Tamworth, NSW
Date: 16 – 25 January 2015

Surfest 2015
Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2015, Surfest is the largest surfing festival in Australia playing host to a number of the world's very best professional men, women and junior surfers. Surfest 2015 will feature the Burton Automotive Pro (Men's ASP 6-Star) and the Burton Automotive Women's Classic (Women's ASP 1-Star), along with ten supporting events at beaches in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens.         
Location: Merewether Beach, Newcastle, NSW
Date: 6 – 22 February 2015

Other Regional NSW Events include:

• Saltwater Freshwater Festival, Coffs Harbour (26 January 2015)
• Australian Bowl Riding Championships, Newcastle (7 February 2015)
• Bathurst 12 Hour, Mt. Panorama, Bathurst (6-8 February 2015)
• Australian Surf Rowers League Open Championships, Shellharbour (20-22 February 2015)
• Oceania Cross Triathlon Championships, Snowy Mountains (28 February – 1 March 2015)

About Destination NSW

Destination NSW is the lead Government agency for the New South Wales (NSW) tourism and major events sectors. Our role is to market Sydney and NSW as one of the world's premier tourism and major events destinations; to secure major sporting and cultural events; to work in partnership with Business Events Sydney to win major international conventions and incentive travel reward programs; to develop and deliver initiatives that will drive visitor growth throughout the State; to achieve the NSW Government's goal of doubling overnight visitor expenditure within the State by the year 2020.

From food and wine festivals to surf competitions, world class sporting events to celebrations of arts and culture, New South Wales has an Annual Calendar of Events that celebrates the diverse facets of Australian contemporary life. Sydney is unrivalled in Australia in its capacity to stage exclusive events that have the whole world tuning in. Destination NSW has been at the forefront in creating and winning world-class events that put Sydney on the global front page.

For a full list of events in NSW go to www.visitnsw.com.

Visitors can share their NSW experiences via the following hashtag: #newsouthwales

Media contacts:

Florence Sandford, Destination NSW, 02 9931 1416, Florence.sandford@dnsw.com.au.

Marsha Rodrom, Destination NSW, 02 9931 1407, marsha.rodrom@dnsw.com.au.