Insights - 4 April 2025
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WESTERN SYDNEY CELEBRATES VISITOR BOOM
New data from Tourism Research Australia has confirmed Western Sydney is a key driver of visitor economy growth in NSW.
The region attracted nearly one in every five (19 per cent) domestic overnight visitors and one in every seven (15.3 per cent) international visitors to Sydney during 2024.
Western Sydney welcomed 2.2 million domestic overnight visitors in the year ending December 2024, who spent $1.4 billion (up 3.4 per cent on the previous year).
There were 539,500 international visitors to the region during the period, up 5.2 per cent year on year. These visitors stayed 22.2 million nights (up 15.7 per cent year on year) and spent $1.7 billion (up 15 per cent year on year).
The recently announced $8 million Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund, administered by Destination NSW, will further boost visitation. The fund will incentivise international airlines to fly new routes into Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) when it opens in 2026.
Learn more here.
FIRST TRACKS LAID FOR AIRPORT METRO
The first tracks have been laid on the Sydney Metro - Western Sydney Airport line, the public transport spine that will link the new airport with the fast-growing area around it.
The new Metro line to Western Sydney International Airport is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.
Design plans for six stations on the line have been finalised and work has commenced. The rail link will connect passengers from the new airport to St Marys in 15 minutes.
Learn more here.
WESTERN SYDNEY ELEVATED AS BUSINESS EVENTS HUB
Western Sydney Convention Centre (WSCC) has joined with Panthers Precinct to create a one-stop conference and events destination ahead of the opening of Western Sydney International Airport.
The new airport will play an important role in achieving the NSW Government’s goal of $91 billion in visitor expenditure by 2035 and will bring hundreds of thousands of international and domestic visitors to Western Sydney and regional NSW.
The WSCC and Panthers Precinct collaboration brings together 11 event venues with the ability to host up to 2800 people seated and up to 10,000 exhibition-style.
WSCC also features Penrith's first five-star hotel, Pullman Sydney Penrith; 17 dining and bar options; access to Penrith Panthers Academy tours and past and present players, health and wellbeing experts and coaches as guest speakers; and team-building experiences such as indoor skydiving at iFLY, Aqua Golf and Cables Wake Park.
WSCC General Manager Charles Young said: "From exclusive access to sporting legends, fine cuisine and a location right at the foot of the Blue Mountains, there’s nowhere else in the world with this type of offering."
Learn more here.
PROGRESS UNDERWAY FOR RIVERSIDE THEATRES REDEVELOPMENT
Plans for the redevelopment of Parramatta's Riverside Theatres are being publicly exhibited on the NSW Planning Portal.
The project is being funded by City of Parramatta and the NSW Government’s Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program.
Set to become a world-class performing arts centre welcoming more than 400,000 visitors a year, the proposed redevelopment includes a 1500-seat Broadway-style lyric theatre, refurbished 700-seat Riverside Playhouse theatre, new 325-seat black-box drama theatre, 110-seat digital studio and a cinema with enhanced public spaces.
Learn more here.
ENTRIES OPEN FOR 2025 WESTERN SYDNEY
TOURISM AWARDS
Nominations have opened for the 2025 Western Sydney Tourism Awards, with visitor economy businesses in Southwest and Western Sydney invited to submit entries.
The program features 13 awards across categories including marketing campaigns, events, accommodation, bars and pubs, restaurants and suppliers.
Winners will be announced on 5 September at Liverpool Catholic Club.
MARTHA STEWART CONFIRMED AS VIVID SYDNEY 2025 GLOBAL STORYTELLER
Lifestyle icon Martha Stewart will join Vivid Sydney 2025 for an exclusive, one-off, In Conversation event.
Ms Stewart will reflect on her career, the evolution of her personal brand and the changing face of food, design and home life. She will also share candid insights into her most memorable moments in popular culture and what it takes to stay relevant for more than four decades.
In Conversation with Martha Stewart will take place at ICC Sydney on 28 May 2025.
REGIONAL EVENT FUND CLOSING SOON
Applications for the Regional Event Fund close on 6 April 2025. The Regional Event Fund is managed by Destination NSW and supports regional events through three funding streams. Event owners can apply for grants of up to $50,000 to help stage events that enrich the state’s diverse experiences, drive increased overnight visitation and boost local economies.
2025 BUSINESS EVENTS NSW SHOWCASE
Destination NSW is seeking expressions of interest to exhibit at the 2025 Business Events NSW Showcase. The event will be held on 25 June at Machine Hall in Sydney. It will provide an opportunity for regional NSW destinations, venues, suppliers, accommodation operators and experience providers to showcase their services to conference and group travel planners.
WORKSHOPS: EXPERIENCE DEVELOPMENT
Destination NSW has opened registrations for its 2025 Experience Development workshops in Maitland (13 May), Lismore (15 May), Wollongong (21 May), Coonamble (3 June) and Orange (5 June). The free workshops, delivered under the NSW First Program, support businesses to create new experiences or refine existing ones.
AGRITOURISM SUMMIT RETURNS TO NSW
The second annual AgriTourism Summit will be held in Orange on 12-13 August 2025. Supported proudly by Destination NSW, the event will feature insights from industry leaders, farmer-led panel discussions and networking opportunities to inspire, inform and equip attendees with the tools to develop and enhance their agritourism offerings.
AUSTRALIANS FAVOUR DOMESTIC TRAVEL
The latest Roy Morgan data has revealed domestic trips continue to be at the heart of how Australians travel. The data shows 57 per cent of Australians are planning a domestic trip in the next 12 months (up from 52 per cent a year ago). On a per capita basis, overseas travel is still below pre-pandemic levels.
AUSTRALIA'S NO.1 TRENDING DESTINATION
Expedia and Wotif have released their April Travel Outlook, which reveals Merimbula is Australia's top trending destination, with accommodation searches up 70 per cent. Searches for Byron Bay and the Central Coast are up 51 per cent, while searches for Port Stephens are up 36 per cent.
DENI UTE MUSTER PROGRAM ANNOUNCED
The Deni Ute Muster will return from 3-4 October 2025 with a program including the Grammy Award-winning Zac Brown Band. Supported proudly by Destination NSW, tens of thousands of visitors will descend on Deniliquin for the festival, making a significant contribution to the local visitor economy.
MAJOR CRICKET MATCHES SECURED FOR SYDNEY
Destination NSW is supporting Cricket Australia to deliver international men’s and women’s cricket matches at Sydney Cricket Ground in 2025-26. Three matches will be played in Sydney: the Men’s Australia versus India one-day international, the Men’s Ashes and the Women’s Australia versus India T20I.
CARNIVAL ADVENTURE'S FIRST SYDNEY VISIT
Carnival Adventure, formerly P&O Australia's Pacific Adventure, has sailed into Sydney Harbour for the first time. More than 500,000 people are expected to cruise with Carnival in Australia in 2025, with two ships - Carnival Adventure and Carnival Splendor - sailing from Sydney's White Bay Cruise Terminal.
2025 NORTH COAST TOURISM SYMPOSIUM
Byron Shire Council and Destination North Coast will co-host the 2025 North Coast Tourism Symposium and North Coast Regional Tourism Awards on 31 July 2025. The symposium will bring together 14 North Coast local government areas. Nominations for North Coast Regional Tourism Awards close on 11 April 2025.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
TCS SYDNEY MARATHON ANNOUNCES RECORD-BREAKING PRIZE POOL: The prize pool of $135,000 is the largest ever domestic offering for a marathon event. The TCS Sydney Marathon is supported proudly by Destination NSW. Learn more
ART GALLERY OF NEW SOUTH WALES CELEBRATES YOLNU ART AND CULTURE: Opening on 21 June 2025, Yolŋu power traces the history of art in Yirrkala, Arnhem Land. Learn more
ENTRIES OPEN FOR 2025 AUSTRALIAN EVENT AWARDS: Winners will be announced on 15 October 2025 during the Australian Event Symposium. Destination NSW worked with City of Coffs Habour to secure the event for regional NSW. Learn more
NEW STRATEGY TO BOOST UNIVERSITY PATHWAYS AND WORKFORCE READINESS IN NSW: The NSW Government's Public Partnerships for Public Benefit: The NSW Higher Education Strategy 2025-29 sets out a strategic framework to enable stronger collaboration between government and universities. Learn more
NEW FACILITIES FOR BAGO STATE FOREST: Funded by the NSW Government, the 'Enhancing Nature Based Tourism' project includes a new Sugar Pines visitor area and a reinvigorated Alpine Ash Walk. Learn more
DISASTER SUPPORT FOR NARRABRI FOLLOWING SEVERE STORMS: The Australian and NSW Governments have activated assistance measures for the area. 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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