Insights - 17 April 2026
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INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS EXCEED 2019 LEVELS
FOR THE FIRST TIME
New Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows international visitation to NSW surpassed pre-pandemic levels in February 2026, led by Lunar New Year arrivals from China.
NSW recorded the highest number of visitor arrivals for short-term trips, welcoming 367,220 international arrivals, up from 357,420 in February 2019. China led arrivals for NSW at 94,980, compared to 81,090 in February 2019.
A total of 943,220 trips to Australia were recorded in February 2026, an increase of 155,450 (19.7 per cent) compared with the corresponding month of the previous year. The number of trips was 1.7 per cent higher than in February 2019.
China was the largest source country nationally, accounting for 23.3 per cent of all visitor arrivals (220,170 trips).
AUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP TO TEE OFF IN NSW
Destination NSW has partnered with the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) of Australia to secure the Australian PGA Championship for NSW.
For the first time since 1998, the 2026 BMW Australian PGA Championship will tee off from 26-29 November at The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney.
The tournament will attract the world’s best golfers and golf fans from across the nation and around the globe, highlighting Sydney as one of the world’s great stages for major international sporting events.
VIVID FIRE KITCHEN TO IGNITE VISITOR ECONOMY
The culinary showpiece of Vivid Sydney 2026—Vivid Fire Kitchen—will feature an expanded program designed to celebrate the best of Australia’s food culture and boost the NSW visitor economy.
At its new home in Barangaroo Reserve, Vivid Fire Kitchen will bring together more than 60 culinary voices, showcasing bold flavours and live open-fire cooking, further cementing NSW’s reputation as a premier destination for immersive culinary experiences.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper joined Festival Director Brett Sheehy AO and chefs including Racha Abou Alchamat, Jean-Paul El Tom, John Ralley, Janina Allende, Ahana Dutt, Sharon Salloum and Jason Roberts for the program launch.
Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW.
Learn more here.
VISITORS INVITED TO LIGHT UP THE HARBOUR
DURING VIVID SYDNEY
Destination NSW has invited people from across Sydney and around the world to help light up the city’s skyline as part of Vivid Sydney 2026.
'Your Connected City' will give the public the opportunity to design a personalised light display that will be projected across some of Sydney Harbour’s most recognisable landmarks, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Overseas Passenger Terminal and the Cahill Expressway.
Open to participants of all ages and from anywhere in the world, the experience will invite users to create their own colour palette and lighting design through an easy-to-use online tool. Successful submissions will be brought to life on Sydney’s skyline for a 30-second display during the festival.
AUSTRALIA SETS NEW RECORD FOR CRUISING
The number of Australians taking holidays at sea surged to a record high of 1.45 million in 2025, according to figures released this week by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). CLIA’s annual Source Market Report also revealed more than one third of Australian cruisers were aged under 40.
DESTINATION NSW JOINS SEATRADE DELEGATION
Destination NSW Regional Manager, USA Irene Morgan, Port Authority of NSW CEO John McKenna and General Manager Cruise Martin Bidgood joined Australia and New Zealand's largest-ever delegation at Seatrade Cruise Global 2026—the leading annual B2B event for the cruise industry—from 13-16 April.
UNVEILED: THE CUTAWAY TRANSFORMATION
The NSW Government has revealed the completed transformation of the Cutaway in Barangaroo. Sydney’s new arts, cultural and events space can operate 24/7 and will host some of the nation’s biggest creative events.
ICC SYDNEY NAMED AS CUTAWAY OPERATOR
ICC Sydney will operate the Cutaway from 20 April 2026, commencing with test events such as Business Events Sydney’s Global Ambassador Dinner. Future events will include festivals, corporate launches, exhibitions, dinners and showcases.
SYDNEY TO GRAFTON XPT REVIVED
The Sydney to Grafton XPT will return to the tracks from 28 April 2026, restoring a vital rail link for regional NSW. The train service will run from Sydney through the Central Coast, Hunter and Mid North Coast. The reinstated service forms part of the NSW Government’s $40.3 million XPT Life Extension Project.
NEW RAIL SERVICE FOR SOUTH COAST
The first passenger service of the new intercity Mariyung train on the South Coast Line departed Kiama Station this week bound for Central Station. Mariyung trains offer more spacious seating, spaces for luggage, prams, bicycles and wheelchairs, enhanced safety and improved accessibility.
FUEL INFORMATION CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES
The Australian Government’s information campaign ‘Every little bit helps’ launched this week. Ads will play across digital, television and outdoor locations. The campaign outlines actions the public can take as the Government works to secure the country's fuel supply.
NSW POWERS UP ELECTRIC VEHICLE ACCESS
The 2026 NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy has been released, backed by $100 million in NSW Government funding to help make EVs and their cost-of-living benefits more accessible. The strategy has a focus on closing charging gaps in regional, remote and suburban areas.
TOURISM FORUM FOR RIVERINA MURRAY
Visitor economy operators in the Riverina Murray region will join tourism and cross-border leaders at the Regional Tourism Forum Riverina Murray 2026 on 23 April. Delivered by Destination Riverina Murray in partnership with Murray Regional Tourism, the event is proudly supported by Destination NSW.
NEW COASTAL FOOD AND DINING ASSETS
The latest edition of Destination NSW's ContentED newsletter features new assets that showcase coastal food and dining experiences at locations including Bellingen, Coffs Coast, the Barrington Coast and Merimbula. The content is available to order and download from the Destination NSW Content Library.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
AUSTRALIAN TOURISM OPERATORS SURPASS GLOBAL BENCHMARKS: According to the Shiji Guest Experience Benchmark Report 2026, businesses participating in the Quality Tourism Framework achieved a score of 89.7 per cent in 2025. Learn more
BEST YEAR EVER FOR GLOBAL TOURISM: Data from the World Travel & Tourism Council shows the sector saw 4.1 per cent annual growth in 2025 and accounted for 9.8 per cent of the global economy. The Asia-Pacific was the fastest-growing region globally. Learn more
WESTERN SYDNEY AEROTROPOLIS INVESTMENT TAKES OFF: The latest Aerotropolis Investment Update shows proposed private sector investments have more than doubled since December 2024. Learn more
QANTAS GROUP REDUCES DOMESTIC CAPACITY: The Group has announced it will reduce domestic capacity for the remainder of the financial year by around five per cent due to continued volatility in fuel prices and global economic conditions. Learn more
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA REDUCES DOMESTIC CAPACITY: The airline will reduce its total domestic capacity by one per cent in the final quarter of FY2026. Learn more
ALL NETBALL WORLD CUP 2027 MATCHES TO BE BROADCAST ON NINE: Proudly supported by Destination NSW, the tournament will be staged in Sydney from 25 August to 5 September 2027. Learn more
CLARENCE VALLEY PUBLIC ART TRAIL TO TAP INTO CULTURAL TOURISM BOOM: The self-guided tour features 17 large-scale public artworks across the region. Learn more
10-YEAR PLAN BREATHES NEW LIFE INTO INNER WEST PARKLAND: The first management plan for Callan Park has been finalised and includes more green open space, a new swim spot and a potential café. Learn more
FIRST FILMS ANNOUNCED FOR SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL 2026: Proudly supported by Destination NSW, the line-up will include prize winners from the Berlinale and Sundance film festivals. Learn more
ACCOLADE FOR 25HOURS HOTEL THE OLYMPIA SYDNEY: The brand’s first Australian hotel, located on Oxford Street, has been named as one of Travel + Leisure magazine's 100 Best New Hotels of the Year. Learn more
PROGRESS ON MISSING LINKS FOR SYDNEY'S LONGEST WALK: The NSW Government has allocated new funding for the missing links of the 91km Parramatta to Sydney Foreshore Link. 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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