Meet the Operators
To help bring the DNCW Tourism Business Development Pathway Program to life, we are developing a series of video case studies. Each video features a local operator who DNCW has helped progress through the pathway. These case studies highlight the tangible outcomes of engaging with the program, including improved product development, stronger business foundations, and clearer pathways to distribution and growth.
Printhie Wines has successfully completed the DNCW Tourism Pathway Program and progressed to Stage Five: Export Ready. Over the past three years, Emily and the Printhie team have worked closely with the DNCW team to strengthen their tourism offering, enhance their trade readiness, and build their capability to engage with domestic and international tourism markets.
Showcasing a diverse portfolio of premium bookable experiences, including award-winning wine tastings, fine dining, helicopter and guided fly-fishing adventures, Printhie is well positioned to work with tourism trade partners, participate in Destination NSW and Tourism Australia initiatives, and attract high-value domestic and international visitors. As an export-ready tourism operator, Printhie Wines has the foundations, industry capability, and strategic partnerships to continue growing its tourism business while contributing to the long-term success of the Central West visitor economy.
Hillside Harvest, Orange, is currently working towards Stage Four: Distribution Ready. Paula and the Hillside Harvest team have been working closely with the DNCW team for more than 18 months to strengthen their tourism offering and build the capabilities required for sustainable growth. At this stage of the program, the focus is on preparing the business to successfully work with domestic trade and distribution partners, expanding market reach, increasing visitation, and positioning Hillside Harvest for its next stage of development as it transitions towards export readiness.
As Hillside Harvest progresses through this stage, DNCW will continue supporting Paula to refine their visitor experience, develop trade-ready products, understand commission structures, and build relationships with tourism distributors and industry partners. This will also position the business to participate in further Destination NSW trade activities, familiarisation programs and other promotional opportunities as appropriate.
Redground Truffles Australia has successfully completed the DNCW Pathway Program and has progressed to Stage Five: Export Ready. Through the program, Jill at RedGround worked closely with the DNCW team to strengthen their tourism offering, build industry capability and prepare for engagement with domestic and international tourism markets.
With the completion of the program, RedGround is well-positioned to engage with tourism trade partners, participate in relevant Destination NSW and Tourism Australia opportunities, and attract increased visitation from domestic and international markets. RedGround Australia is now equipped with the foundations and capability to continue growing as an export-ready tourism operator, supporting the long-term sustainability of the business and the broader Central West visitor economy.
What is the DNCW Tourism Business Development Pathway Program?
The DNCW Tourism Business Development Pathway Program is a fully integrated, end-to-end industry development framework designed to support tourism operators from initial concept through to market readiness.
The journey begins with the Tourism Business Onboarding Program, which provides a structured, Industry Engagement Manager (IEM) led pathway guiding businesses through Ideation, Business Ready and Tourism Ready stages. The onboarding program focuses on building strong business foundations, improving capability, and connecting operators into the visitor economy through practical support including workshops, mentoring, diagnostics and access to Destination NSW resources. The program is designed to deliver a strong pipeline of Tourism Ready businesses that are visible, market-aligned and actively participating in the regional tourism ecosystem.
Building on this, the Distribution Ready and Export Readiness Program supports operators to progress beyond Tourism Ready, focusing on experience development, packaging, pricing, and engagement with distribution channels. Led by the Industry Development Manager (IDM), this phase equips businesses to become commissionable and trade-ready, with a clear pathway toward export markets. Importantly, the program does not deliver export readiness in full, but positions high-potential operators at the point where they are ready to engage with Destination NSW export programs and international trade opportunities. Together, the two programs create a seamless development pipeline that strengthens industry capability, drives product development, and ensures the Central West has a consistent flow of high-quality, market-ready businesses prepared to step into state-led export pathways.
