Insights - 14 March 2025
No images? Click here
VIVID SYDNEY 2025 PROGRAM REVEALED
Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere's largest multi-artform festival, has unveiled its program for 2025. Owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the festival will once again transform the Harbour City from 23 May to 14 June, exploring the theme of 'Vivid Sydney, Dream'.
For its 15th year, the festival footprint has been redesigned to present five zones: Circular Quay and The Rocks; Barangaroo; Martin Place and CBD (for the first time since 2018); Darling Harbour; and The Goods Line and Inner City. Each connected zone will feature events from each of the festival pillars; Light, Music, Ideas and Food.
Vivid Light will feature free shows with pieces designed with world-leading animation and projection technologies from artists such as the late David McDiarmid, whose work will be showcased on the Sydney Opera House sails.
Vivid Ideas continues to offer an array of engaging experiences, including a keynote from D.W. Pine, Creative Director of TIME Magazine, the weekly Firetalk series at Barangaroo Reserve, and Stranger Things: The Experience which debuts at Luna Park Sydney.
Vivid Food will exclusively feature the curation of three Vivid Sydney Dinners by internationally renowned food writer and TV cook, Nigella Lawson, as well as the festival favourite Vivid Fire Kitchen which returns to The Goods Line.
Vivid Music returns with its free Tumbalong Nights series, which will this year focus on music in diaspora communities and First Nations artists singing in their own languages. Oxford Art Factory, Metro Theatre and City Recital Hall will feature performances from acts curated across a range of genres.
Destination NSW General Manager, Events Julie Turpie, Destination NSW Acting CEO Karen Jones, Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini and Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier and for the Arts Julia Finn MP celebrate the program launch (above, left).
Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Music and the Night-Time Economy John Graham said: "Vivid Sydney continues to find exciting new ways and places to bring colour, creativity and fun to our city.
"From surprising outdoor dining experiences, to artistic light projections on our most famous landmarks and big free live shows in Tumbalong Park - Vivid Sydney has something for everyone whether you’re a visitor or a local.
"This year’s festival is helping people face the cost-of-living crisis by increasing the number of free events, which is great news if you want a good night out without blowing the budget."
NEW AVIATION FUND TO HELP WESTERN SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TAKE OFF
A new $16 million fund has been announced that will incentivise airlines to fly new routes into Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) ahead of its opening in late 2026.
The Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund will combine $8 million from the NSW Government and $8 million from WSI to boost airline capacity and is projected to deliver more than 162,000 international visitors to NSW and generate an estimated $530 million of visitor expenditure. WSI will play an important role in achieving the NSW Government’s goal of $91 billion of visitor expenditure by 2035.
The new fund comes at a critical stage for the state’s newest international gateway, encouraging more carriers to join Qantas, Jetstar and Singapore Airlines as the airport works to accelerate passenger numbers to 10 million per year.
The fund was announced by Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham at the 2025 Airport City Summit hosted by the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue that was also attended by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
At the event, the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue launched the Greater Western Sydney airport readiness campaign, 'Take Flight 2026', which profiles the projects and investment needed to ensure Western Sydney is ready to welcome the world.
Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue CEO Adam Leto said: "The opening of WSI is set to be a game-changer for the region. To ensure Western Sydney can welcome the 10 million global visitors expected to land on our doorstep from late next year, we need to leverage its unique characteristics and build on its existing assets and strengths."
Accommodation Australia CEO James Goodwin said: "The more international tourists on the ground here in Sydney, the more secure jobs in the tourism and accommodation sectors."
This new targeted fund follows the NSW Government’s Aviation Attraction Fund, which launched in 2022 with the objective of assisting the state’s tourism and aviation industries to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.
NSW REGIONAL EVENTS TO RECEIVE $1.5M BOOST
Events across regional NSW are set to receive a major boost, with the NSW Government announcing a $1.5 million injection through the Regional Event Fund for events held in the 2025/26 financial year.
Event owners can apply for grants of up to $50,000 to help stage events in regional NSW that enrich the state’s diverse calendar of event experiences, drive increased overnight visitation and boost local economies.
The grants offered through the Regional Event Fund are part of the NSW Government’s plan to grow the visitor economy. The initiative empowers communities to host events that reflect local culture and create authentic experiences, attracting visitors and driving expenditure for local businesses.
Tourism Research Australia figures from the year ending September 2024 show regional NSW contributed a record $26 billion (49 per cent) of the overall NSW visitor economy. A key strategy for continued growth in regional tourism is to support the diverse range of events held in regional towns across the state.
Last year the NSW Government released its review into the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 and committed to a new 2035 target of $91 billion in annual expenditure, a 40 per cent increase on the previous goal. The review supports the sustainable growth of regional visitor economies, with ongoing investment in events essential to reaching the NSW Government’s new stretch goal.
Applications close at midnight on 6 April 2025.
ASSISTANCE FOLLOWING EX-TROPICAL CYCLONE ALFRED
For information regarding recovery efforts visit the NSW Government's ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred webpage.
Keep informed by downloading the Hazards Near Me App here: (Download for iOS | Download for Android)
NORTH AMERICA ROADSHOW
Destination NSW hosted a trade mission involving 19 NSW visitor economy businesses, with full day workshops taking place in Los Angeles and New York City from 10-13 March 2025. Participants were able to engage directly with American travel buyers and strengthen consideration of NSW experiences and destinations.
CLIA HALL OF FAME INDUCTION
The 22nd Cruise Industry Awards for Australasia recognised Stuart Allison's longstanding leadership role in the sector with his induction into the Cruise Lines International Association Hall of Fame. Held at Sydney's Star Event Centre on 8 March 2025, the awards celebrated the best of the cruise industry across 15 award categories.
NSW FINALISTS TO VIE FOR TOP TOURISM AWARDS
Twenty-four of NSW’s leading tourism operators are up for national honours at the 40th Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Adelaide on 21 March 2025. Tourism operators, industry leaders and government representatives from across Australia will gather to recognise and award outstanding tourism experiences.
NSW ABORIGINAL BUSINESS TASKFORCE
A new taskforce has been announced to lead the growth of the state's Aboriginal business sector as the NSW Government works towards Closing the Gap. The taskforce will be chaired by 2014 Australian of the Year Adam Goodes, and will provide the NSW Government with advice on how to support the Aboriginal business sector to grow.
WORLD GREAT TO RACE IN SYDNEY MARATHON
Eliud Kipchoge, widely regarded as the greatest marathoner of all time and the only person in history to run a marathon in under two hours, has been confirmed to race in the 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon on 31 August 2025. Supported proudly by Destination NSW, the TCS Sydney Marathon will be raced for the first time this year as an Abbott World Marathon Major.
SOCCEROOS V INDONESIA SQUAD ANNOUNCED
The Subway Socceroos have announced the squad for their upcoming match against Indonesia at Sydney Football Stadium on 20 March 2025. The match is part of a suite of fixtures secured by Destination NSW, bringing international football matches to NSW that are projected to inject approximately $16.6 million into the NSW visitor economy over four years.
WORKSHOPS: EXPERIENCE DEVELOPMENT
Registrations have opened for Destination NSW Experience Development workshops in 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.
NEW APP TO DRIVE EV CHARGE POINTS
The Electric Vehicle Council has launched a new app, Charge@Large, that will allow drivers to access real time availability of public EV chargers. Usage data will be shared with governments to inform and improve the charging network. Destination NSW currently has a campaign in market promoting EV chargers located along iconic NSW road trip routes.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES SHOWCASE IN INDIA
Tourism Australia and four of its Signature Experiences of Australia partners hosted a series of events in Mumbai for luxury travel trade advisors and media. Indian travellers are reportedly seeking highly personalised itineraries and immersive journeys to develop a deep connection with Australia. Destination NSW invests in Signature Experiences of Australia to support and grow the visibility of NSW visitor experiences.
JT TRAVELS NSW ON WEEKEND SUNRISE
On 15 and 16 March 2025, Channel Seven's Weekend Sunrise will feature a segment branded as "JT Travels NSW", secured as part of an ongoing partnership with Destination NSW. Presenter James Tobin will highlight visitor experiences in live crosses from Nelson Bay and the Hunter Valley, including archery at Hunter Adventure Centre, a visit to Molly Morgan Wines, camel riding on the beach with Oakfield Ranch and more.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS RETURNS: A program of more than 300 gigs will bring vibrancy to five key entertainment precincts and seven regional towns across NSW from 21 March to 6 April 2025. Great Southern Nights is delivered by Destination NSW in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association. Learn more
NEW TECHNOLOGY TO PROTECT KOALAS, KANGAROOS AND WOMBATS: The NSW Government is trialing new technology to improve the safety of motorists and reduce the number of wildlife strikes. Learn more
HUSKISSON BLAK MARKETS: This celebration of South Coast Aboriginal culture will take place on 20 April 2025, featuring over 20 unique stalls, a Welcome to Country and performances. Learn more
NSW ABORIGINAL FISHING ADVISORY COUNCIL: Expressions of Interest are sought from Aboriginal people to fill four vacant coastal and inland regional membership positions. 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
DID YOU ENJOY THIS NEWSLETTER? Forward it to colleagues and friends so they can subscribe too. Was this issue forwarded to you? Click here to sign up
