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AGM season for Byron’s stakeholder groups. Over the past weeks most of our shire’s key stakeholder groups have navigated their Annual General Meeting (AGM) responsibilities. The summary report of each group is an interesting read offering insight into the sectors prevailing zeitgeist. In the interest of transparency below are some key highlights from Destination Byron’s (DB) report for financial year 2018/19. $42,063 in revenue (vs. $41,016 previous year); $23,714 in expenses (vs. $42,985 previous year); DB achieved a surplus of [...]

Byron Bay’s visitor economy grew 70% in seven years. In the past seven years, total visitor numbers to Byron Bay have grown 69%, from around 1.3 mil per year in 2012 to 2.2 mil in 2019. For comparison purposes, Noosa’s total visitor numbers grew 35%, from around 1.7 mil in 2012 to 2.3 million in 2019. New research is now downloadable on Destination Byron’s website, titled ‘Byron Shire Tourism Monitor June 2019’. Byron Bay hosts 4.3 mil visitor nights [...]

Australia is home to a whole host of forward-thinking sustainability associations, groups, not-for-profits, and organisations, with several based right here in the Byron Shire. Here's a round-up of active local, national, and international sustainability initiatives. You can also download a one-page overview here. BCorp Companies that are Certified B by BCorp work to balance purpose and profit. Under the certification, they are legally required to assess the broader impact of their decision making and [...]

Byron Bay may be recognised across the globe for its natural beauty and laid-back way of life, but it isn’t the only town in the Northern Rivers with spectacular beaches and a vibrant community. Earlier this year at the Destination Byron Tourism Symposium, we invited active members of the region’s visitor economy to discuss the Northern Rivers as a brand. Is a united or independent approach best? Can smaller, lesser-known towns and villages capitalise on the well-established Byron name? [...]

The Western Australian Economics and Industry Standing Committee recently released their findings after undertaking an inquiry into short-stay accommodation. The exercise aimed to ease the “groundswell of public agitation,” especially from those residing in the south-west of the state who have voiced their concerns about the emergence of online accommodation platforms. Read the full report here: LEVELLING THE PLAYING FIELD: Managing the impact of the rapid increase of Short-Term Rentals in Western Australia