Insights - 12 December 2025
No images? Click here
FESTIVE TRAVEL RUSH FOR NSW
It is set to be a bumper holiday season for the NSW visitor economy, with Sydney Airport forecasting 5.84 million passengers will travel through its terminals from 12 December 2025 to 26 January 2026.
This is up three per cent on the same period last year, driven by record international demand.
International travel will set a new benchmark, with 2.7 million passengers expected through the T1 International Terminal, surpassing last year’s record by 6.5 per cent.
Domestically, 3.14 million passengers are forecast across the T2 and T3 Domestic Terminals. The peak day for domestic travel will be 12 December, with more than 80,500 passengers expected.
Virgin Australia will welcome millions of travellers this summer, with more than 19,000 flights and 3.2 million seats scheduled over the 2025 Christmas school holiday period (15 December 2025 – 26 January 2026).
The airline said Sydney was on track to be one of its top New Year’s Eve destinations.
Qantas customers will be treated to a festive flying experience this Christmas, with the Flying Kangaroo unveiling specially decorated aircraft as it prepares for one of its busiest festive periods on record.
Qantas' festive aircraft include the QantasLink Q400 'Dasher-8' (VH-84P) and the Qantas Boeing 737 'Roo-dolph' (VH-XZP).
FEEL THE SYDNEY SIDE OF CHRISTMAS
Sydney has cemented its reputation as the ultimate summer Christmas and New Year’s destination with a range of new and expanded events during the festive season.
Destination NSW has published a guide to celebrations throughout the city. Whether enjoying carols, browsing artisan markets or catching a glimpse of Santa on a jet ski, the city is filled with experiences that will draw visitors and locals to celebrate.
INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS SURGE IN OCTOBER
New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows Australia welcomed 740,650 short-term visitor arrivals in October 2025, an increase of 9.3 per cent year-on-year.
The number of trips was 4.3 per cent lower than the pre-pandemic level in October 2019.
NSW received the highest number of visitor arrivals, with the state's top three source markets being New Zealand, China and the United States.
ABS has also reported that accommodation and food spending rose 0.2 per cent during the September quarter 2025 and 3.6 per cent over the year. Football finals, sporting tours and a bumper snow season drove high hotel occupancy rates.
APPLICATIONS OPEN: FOCUS ON NSW EVENT
Destination NSW will hold a Focus On NSW: UK & Europe, North America and New Zealand event on 16 March 2026 to connect NSW products and destinations with key distribution partners in these markets. Eligible NSW visitor economy businesses can apply to participate at a reduced cost through the New Market Product Pathway or the Aboriginal Trade Event Support initiative.
PRINCESS CRUISES CELEBRATES 50 YEARS
Princess Cruises has marked a historic milestone in Sydney Harbour as it celebrates 50 years of cruising across Australia and the South Pacific. A ceremony was held aboard the newest ship to homeport from Circular Quay, Discovery Princess, during her inaugural visit to Sydney. The Love Boat actor Ted Lange was among guests who attended the event.
BUSHFIRE SEASON: QUICK TIPS FOR BUSINESSES
Destination NSW has updated its Quick Tips for Natural Disasters guides to assist visitor economy businesses during bushfire season. Produced as part of the NSW First program, the guides provide advice to help prepare for the impacts of natural disasters, respond and recover.
SYDNEY SIDE OF SUMMER CAMPAIGN
Destination NSW has launched a Sydney side of summer campaign that positions the city as Australia’s must-visit destination during the warmer months. The campaign includes radio and audio streaming, press, content partnerships, online videos and social media.
REFLECTIONS TUMUT LAUNCHES TINY HOMES
Reflections Holidays has launched four tiny homes at Tumut River, an accommodation first for the destination. Reflections has invested more than $900,000 in the site since being appointed Crown land manager in early 2025 and estimates it will inject $1.2 million annually in additional tourism revenue to the region. A certified social enterprise, Reflections reinvests profits into its 40 holiday parks and the 47 nature reserves it cares for across NSW.
SYDNEY SUPER CUP 2026 MATCHES ANNOUNCED
Sydney will host two of the biggest teams in world football next year, with Chelsea FC and Tottenham Hotspur confirmed as the headline clubs for the Sydney Super Cup 2026. Proudly supported by Destination NSW, the tournament will include three matches played across Accor Stadium and Allianz Stadium, attracting thousands of local supporters and international visitors. The event is forecast to deliver more than $25 million into the NSW visitor economy.
GAGA CONCERTS FUEL SYDNEY TRAVEL
Lady Gaga's two sold-out concerts at Accor Stadium have sparked a hotel, airlines and hospitality boom for Sydney. Data from Booking.com shows that Sydney has surged to the number one spot for weekend accommodation searches from 12–14 December 2025. Accor’s hotels at Sydney Olympic Park are at capacity: 96 per cent on Friday and 98 per cent on Saturday.
REGION X WINS SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
The Banksia Foundation has announced the winners of the 2025 NSW Sustainability Awards. The NSW Sustainable Tourism Award was won by Region X. Region X’s Clyde River Oyster Tasting Kayak Tour has welcomed more than 3000 visitors over the past three years, generating alternative income for farmers and strengthening Eurobodalla’s oyster industry.
ICC SYDNEY CELEBRATES CONGRESS SUCCESS
ICC Sydney estimates the 76th International Astronautical Congress injected $47 million into the NSW visitor economy. Secured by BESydney, the event demonstrated how partnerships between government, industry and the business events sector deliver social and economic impact. The event brought together 7400 delegates from 99 countries.
CAMPBELLTOWN ARTS CENTRE EXPANSION
A major milestone in the expansion of the Campbelltown Arts Centre has been reached, with concept designs completed for the $84.6 million development. The design takes inspiration from Campbelltown’s natural landscape and Dharawal Country and cultural practices. The expansion will deliver a new theatre space, gallery spaces and function and conference facilities.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
CHINA SOUTHERN AIRLINES SIGNS CODESHARE AGREEMENT WITH VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: The agreement will enhance connectivity for passengers travelling from China to regional Australian destinations. Learn more
NRL GRAND FINAL DRIVES STRONG SPRING TRAVEL DEMAND: Domestic airlines carried more than 5.5 million passengers in October 2025 (up 3.8 per cent year on year), according to a new ACCC report. Learn more
ENTERTAINMENT SPENDING OVERTAKES BLACK FRIDAY: CommBank data shows households prioritised experiences in November, with the month’s busy calendar of sport and entertainment providing a strong boost to spending. Learn more
UFC RETURNS TO SYDNEY: The third pay-per-view card secured as part of the NSW Government’s multi-event agreement with the UFC will be held at Qudos Bank Arena on 1 February 2026. Learn more
SEA OTTER AUSTRALIA CELEBRATES LAUNCH SUCCESS: Event organisers have released a 2025 Festival Report, with the results confirming strong appetite for a world-class cycling and outdoor festival in regional NSW. Learn more
NSW TRIUMPHS AT 2025 AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS EVENTS AWARDS: NSW-based events SXSW Sydney and the 76th International Astronautical Congress 2025 took home four trophies. Learn more
TARONGA PROTECTS ENVIRONMENTAL JEWEL IN NORTH-WEST NSW: The NSW Government has provided $16 million in funding, with Sydney Airport also investing in the conservation initiative. Learn more
ECO CAMPGROUND FOR BELMONT: The NSW Government has launched the state's latest eco-tourism holiday offering with a new $1.9 million campground at Belmont Wetlands in Lake Macquarie. Learn more
ABORIGINAL CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE STANDARDS: The NSW Government has released Standards to support effective engagement for Aboriginal Cultural Heritage. Learn more
THREDBO NAMED AUSTRALIA'S BEST SKI RESORT: The resort secured the trophy for the ninth consecutive year at the 2025 World Ski Awards. Learn more
NSW BUSINESS JOINS DISCOVER ABORIGINAL EXPERIENCES COLLECTIVE: Explore Byron Bay, an On-Country experience with Arakwal Bundjalung elder Delta Kay, is the latest member of the Tourism Australia initiative. Learn more
NATURAL DISASTER DECLARATIONS FOR SEVEN LGAS FOLLOWING BUSHFIRES: Support has been made available under the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. 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
