Insights - 28 February 2025
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PORT STEPHENS NAMED AUSSIE TOWN OF THE YEAR
Port Stephens has capped off a winning 12 months for its visitor economy by being named Wotif’s 2025 Aussie Town of the Year.
The NSW coastal destination has claimed the top spot for its beaches, sand dunes, sea life, national parks and dining, with the travel app reporting an over 75 per cent increase in accommodation searches for Port Stephens during 2024.
The accolade for Port Stephens follows the region taking out four silver medals at the 2024 NSW Tourism Awards, plus Seafood Restaurant of the Year at Sydney Fish Market’s 2024 Seafood Excellence Awards.
The latest Tourism Research Australia data shows Port Stephens welcomed 800,000 domestic overnight visitors in the year ending September 2024, up 2.4 per cent year on year. Visitor expenditure in Port Stephens increased 11.5 per cent year on year to $700 million.
NSW TOWNS DOMINATE TOP 10 LIST
Kingscliff and Yamba also secured spots in Wotif’s 2025 Aussie Town of the Year top 10, putting regional NSW front of mind with travellers across Australia and around the globe.
Destination NSW Acting CEO Karen Jones said: “With three NSW towns featured in Wotif’s 2025 Aussie Town of the Year awards – more than any other state – this recognition highlights regional NSW as the premier destination for Australian travellers.
“From Port Stephens’ beautiful beaches and marine adventures to Kingscliff’s boutique coastal charm and Yamba’s laidback surf culture, our state offers an unrivalled mix of experiences that continue to captivate visitors year after year.
“Thank you to the hard-working visitor experience operators in these winning towns and throughout the state for delivering the superior customer service and unforgettable moments that make a holiday in NSW so exceptional.”
SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS BOOSTS
VISITOR ECONOMY
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade will return on 1 March 2025, featuring more than 10,000 marchers and 180 floats.
A parade preview was held this morning at The Beresford to announce highlights of the event, which will include the La Pa Legends - representing the rainbow Aboriginal community of La Perouse - among the first-time participants.
Supported proudly by Destination NSW, it is estimated that the 2025 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade will welcome more than 35,000 visitors to Sydney who will inject more than $40 million into the NSW visitor economy, including accommodation, restaurants, bars, cafes, theatres, retail and other visitor experiences.
The event will also be broadcast live on the ABC, bringing the energy and spectacle of Mardi Gras to audiences across Australia. Learn more here.
EXTENDED TRADING FOR MARDI GRAS PARADE
The NSW Government is extending trading hours for the Mardi Gras Parade, ensuring the festivities continue beyond Oxford Street into bars, clubs, restaurants, breweries and live music venues until 2am across 17 central Sydney suburbs.
Minister for Tourism, Music and the Night-time Economy John Graham said: “Mardi Gras is not the night for an early bedtime, it’s one of the biggest celebrations on Sydney’s calendar and a massive drawcard for visitors, which makes it a very appropriate occasion to push back last drinks.
"Extended trading will keep the party going well beyond the parade and give people more time to enjoy everything our city’s vibrant nightlife has to offer."
WESTERN SYDNEY FOOD GUIDE LAUNCHES
Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue has produced a free guide, Best of the West – A Food Lovers’ Guide to Greater Western Sydney, showcasing the region as a world-class dining destination.
From Cabramatta to Parramatta, the guide features the region’s popular restaurants and cultural food festivals.
Located on the doorstep of the new Western Sydney International Airport, the region is set to take off as gourmet gateway with its award-winning restaurants, multicultural festivals and fresh food markets. Learn more here.
POWERHOUSE HIGHLIGHTS WESTERN SYDNEY
FOOD PRODUCERS
The Powerhouse Food: Producers series is continuing in 2025, featuring monthly opportunities to get up close and behind the scenes with Western Sydney food producers.
Attendees will have the opportunity to experience the work of beekeepers, sustainable fisheries, truffle farmers, dairy farmers and high-tech alternative protein manufacturers.
Each producer will highlight their processes and traditions while sharing stories of sustainability and entrepreneurship.
BUMPER JANUARY FOR SYDNEY HOTELS
Sydney reinforced its position as Australia’s number one capital city for domestic and international visitors during January 2025, with hotel occupancy rates surging. Visitors flocked to the city for major events and cultural experiences, commencing with more than one million spectators attending New Year’s Eve celebrations on Sydney Harbour foreshore. STR data shows Sydney accommodation occupancy for the week commencing 29 December 2024 was 86.4 per cent (up from 79.5 per cent in the corresponding period in 2024) and remained elevated throughout January.
RECORD-BREAKING WEEK FOR PORT OF EDEN
Eden Cruise Wharf has celebrated its biggest-ever week for cruise ship passenger arrivals, facilitated by the NSW Government’s approval of a planning modification that permits ships up to 370 metres long to berth at the wharf. Eden welcomed five vessels from 18-22 February 2025: Azamara Pursuit, Viking Venus, Viking Orion, Azamara Onward and Ovation of the Seas. Ovation of the Seas brought a record-breaking 4862 passengers to the region and is one of 25 ships, including 12 maiden calls, visiting Eden during the current summer cruise season.
WORKSHOPS: EXPERIENCE DEVELOPMENT
Registrations have opened for Destination NSW Experience Development workshops in Sydney, Junee and Jindabyne. The free workshops will be delivered under the capability-focused NSW First Program. They are designed for businesses including tour, attraction and accommodation providers looking to create new experiences or refine existing ones.
ABORIGINAL EXPERIENCE DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY
Destination NSW has launched an initiative to support Aboriginal tourism businesses. The 2025 Aboriginal Experience Development Pathway will be delivered in partnership with the NSW Aboriginal Tourism Operators Council (NATOC). It will provide training sessions, the opportunity to take part in media familiarisation programs, a business development workshop and networking.
SYDNEY COFFEE NAMED BEST IN WORLD
The Toby’s Estate cafe in Chippendale, Sydney, has been crowned The World’s Best Coffee Shop at the inaugural World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops awards. Coffee lovers from across the globe were invited to cast their votes online while a panel of coffee experts considered quality, barista experience, customer service, innovation, atmosphere, sustainability, food and consistency.
TAXI AMBASSADOR PROGRAM LAUNCHES
The NSW Taxi Council has launched the NSW Taxi Driver Ambassador Program to help deliver higher service standards to visitors to Sydney. The program has been developed by the NSW Taxi Council in collaboration with Destination NSW, Business Sydney and City of Sydney. The initiative, funded through the City of Sydney Business Sector Support Grant Program, includes a training course.
NSW TOP TOUR GUIDE NOMINATIONS
Nominations have opened for the NSW Top Tourism Town awards program, including a new Top Tour Guide category. The NSW category winner will go on to compete for the title of Australia’s Top Tour Guide. Top Tour Guide entrants are required to provide a written submission and participate in an interview with a judging panel, as well as the nominating business being Sustainable Tourism Accredited in the Quality Tourism program.
QATAR ACQUIRES STAKE IN VIRGIN
Qatar Airways Group’s 25 per cent investment in Virgin Australia has received Foreign Investment Review Board approval. This follows the ACCC's draft determination indicating its intention to authorise the airlines’ integrated alliance, with final approval expected in March-April 2025. Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the investment would deliver more flights, support Australian jobs and strengthen competition in the aviation sector.
QANTAS RESULTS REFLECT HIGH TRAVEL DEMAND
The Qantas Group has announced it achieved an underlying profit before tax of $1.39 billion for the half year ended 31 December 2024. The Group said demand for travel remained strong across all customer segments, led by premium and corporate travel for Qantas, while Jetstar carried a record number of customers.
SYDNEY TRAIN TUNNEL EXPERIENCE ANNOUNCED
Visitors will soon be able to explore hidden parts of the St James Tunnels, built in the 1920s, following restoration and revitalisation works. The visitor experience will combine a historical walking tour with an immersive multimedia attraction, offering a snapshot of the city’s past.
REGIONAL VISIT FOR DESTINATION NSW BOARD
The Destination NSW Board this week held its February meeting in the Southern Highlands, engaging with operators and experiencing local attractions during the visit. The Board meets in regional NSW each year to facilitate engagement with stakeholders. The meeting was an opportunity for the Board to learn more about the Sydney Surrounds South region, which delivers $9.3 million in domestic visitor spending every day.
BOOSTING TOURISM TIES WITH INDIA
The Australian Government has launched 'A New Roadmap for Australia's Economic Engagement with India', which identifies four 'superhighways of growth': tourism, clean energy, education and skills. India's economy is on track to be the world's third largest by 2030, with the roadmap outlining strategies for deepening visitor economy connections. Initiatives will include trade events, aviation attraction and marketing campaigns.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
$5.6 MILLION IN ABORIGINAL BUSINESS GRANTS: The NSW Government is providing Aboriginal businesses and organisations with funding, skills development and training opportunities to help them attract new customers and expand their operations. Learn more
BLUE PLAQUE TRAIL FOR WALGETT: A Blue Plaque has been unveiled in Walgett to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Freedom Ride, when students took to the road to draw attention to the inequities and mistreatment of Aboriginal people. The plaque will form part of a new 1965 Freedom Ride Blue Plaque Trail. Learn more
XPT RAIL FLEET REFURBISHMENT RAMPS UP: The NSW Government is undertaking upgrades to the XPT rail fleet that services regional centres across the state. Learn more
NEW RECREATIONAL FISHING TRUST ADVISORY COUNCIL: The NSW Government will improve oversight of how NSW fishing licence fees are spent with regulation in place to establish a Recreational Fishing Trusts Advisory Council. Learn more
FUNDING FOR STOCKING NATIVE FISH IN LOCAL WATERS: The NSW Government has announced funding to restock regional rivers and dams with native fish such as Australian Bass, Golden Perch and Murray Cod. Learn more
2025 RESTAURANT AND CATERING HOSTPLUS AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE: Nominations have opened for NSW restaurants, cafes and catering businesses. Learn more
REVIEW OF AUSTRALIAN ADVENTURE ACTIVITY STANDARDS COMMENCES: Dr David Marsden has been appointed to lead the review to ensure that industry guidelines are keeping up with expected practice in the outdoor industry. Learn more
MAJOR WORK TO START ON STURT HIGHWAY UPGRADE: The NSW Government is starting work on a $13.9 million upgrade to the road east of Wagga Wagga. Learn more
FOLLOW DESTINATION NSW ON LINKEDIN: Stay up to date with all the latest Destination NSW initiatives by following us on LinkedIn. Click here
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