Sydney campaign draws in celebs

SYDNEY celebrities including designer Akira Isogawa and Rabbitohs NRL star Craig Wing were on hand to spruik the delights of the Sydney cultural calendar.

ON a gorgeous Sydney morning it's easy to see why certain successful local celebs would endorse a campaign aimed at attracting more visitors to the city.

It was a perfect photo opportunity as they stood looking out towards the harbour and bridge from the Museum of Contemporary Art following the launch of the $1.2 million tourism campaign.

Dubbed "Sydney, Designed to Inspire" it highlights the biggest events in Sydney's calendar.

It includes a 32-page brochure detailing key events in Sydney's calendar including New Year's Eve celebrations, World Youth Day, the Royal Easter Show, the Autumn Racing Carnival, the Sydney Film Festival, the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival as well as theatre productions like Billy Elliot and The Rocky Horror Show.

On hand to help inspire people to come to Sydney were fashion designer Akira Isogawa, South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL star Craig Wing, jewellery designer Samantha Wills and restaurateur and chef Brent Savage as well as Museum of Contemporary Art director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor.

Their stories are featured on www.sydney.com, Tourism New South Wales' website for the state capital.

"Each of these Sydney personalities has a unique story to tell about their Sydney and how it inspires them to be top in their respective fields," NSW Tourism Minister Matt Brown said.

"Their stories will inspire potential visitors from around New South Wales and interstate to come to Sydney to discover for themselves the broad range of world-class events and experiences on offer in our great city."

Wing who lives and surfs at Bronte Beach says he believes Sydney is the best playground for a sporty life.

"Sydney has the best of both worlds," Wing says on the website.

Brown told the launch campaigns like this were integral to ensuring NSW reached its state plan target of attracting 10 more million-visitor nights per year.

"We will incorporate television, print and digital media along with consumer promotions to inspire these travellers to visit Sydney for world-class events, dining, visual arts and fashion," he said.