Insights - 23 May 2025
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SPECIAL PREVIEW: LIGHTS ON FOR VIVID SYDNEY 2025
As the countdown begins to Vivid Sydney 2025's 'Lights On' moment, locals and visitors are preparing to experience the vibrant cultural showpiece that transforms the Harbour City into Australia’s largest celebration of creativity and innovation.
Now in its 15th year, the Southern Hemisphere's leading multi-artform festival promises to reimagine Sydney from 23 May to 14 June through Light, Music, Ideas and Food, united by the theme ‘Vivid Sydney, Dream’.
More than 75 per cent of the program will be free to attend, while the entire Vivid Light Walk will be 100 per cent free to experience, making Vivid Sydney one of the most accessible major events in the Asia Pacific.
The 2025 festival officially begins tonight at 5:30pm with First Light at Campbells Cove in The Rocks, followed by Lights On and First Light Live – a free, open-air concert that celebrates the power and pride of First Nations music.
In another Vivid Sydney-first, the iconic Vivid Light Walk will connect five zones throughout the city—Circular Quay and The Rocks; Barangaroo; the CBD and Martin Place (returning for the first time since 2018); Darling Harbour; and The Goods Line and Inner City, with each zone offering visitor experiences spanning all four festival pillars.
Vivid Ideas returns with a line-up of more than 30 events designed to spark conversation and challenge perspectives. Highlights include ‘In Conversation with Martha Stewart’ and comedy duo Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally at ICC Sydney.
Vivid Music will deliver over 100 live music performances, with a free program at Tumbalong Park lighting up Darling Harbour every night of the festival, showcasing Aussie pop, indie music, First Nations performances and a diverse array of languages and cultures.
Vivid Food continues to grow as a festival favourite, celebrating the state’s vibrant culinary culture and world-renowned produce, with events led by global food icons such as Nigella Lawson as well as experiences in some of Sydney’s most acclaimed restaurants. The popular Vivid Fire Kitchen also returns to The Goods Line, offering free cooking demonstrations and flame-fuelled flavours from across the globe.
Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW.
BUSINESSES SET TO SHINE AT VIVID SYDNEY
Destination NSW is partnering with more than 400 businesses as part of the 2025 Vivid Sydney Local Business Program, enriching the global cultural festival that draws millions to Sydney and boosts the state’s visitor and night-time economies.
Participation in the 2025 program has increased by more than 110 per cent, with businesses in Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Quarter, Darling Square, Market City, Paddy’s Market Haymarket, The Rocks, Sydney Place and throughout the CBD signing up to take part.
VENUES GET A LATE PASS FOR VIVID SYDNEY
Hospitality venues across inner Sydney can keep the good times rolling later into the night during Vivid Sydney, with the NSW Government extending trading hours for three Sunday nights during the festival.
From 25 May to 8 June, eligible hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, breweries and live music and performance venues in key downtown precincts including The Rocks, Barangaroo, Pyrmont, Woolloomooloo and Potts Point can stay open until midnight on Sundays.
The extensions support Vivid Sydney’s enduring popularity and give festivalgoers more time to enjoy the event, while boosting trade for local businesses.
FLOOD SUPPORT FOR NSW
Thank you to the NSW State Emergency Service and all emergency service partners supporting businesses and communities impacted by the current severe weather event.
With severe weather continuing to affect parts of the state, please take extra care when travelling. For updates on road closures and traffic conditions, visit Live Traffic NSW: https://www.livetraffic.com/
Access live updates on local weather conditions on the SES website and for safety advice, download the Hazards Near Me app.
If you need assistance during storms or weather-related emergencies, contact the NSW SES on 132 500. In a life-threatening situation, call Triple Zero (000).
Information on disaster assistance is available at www.disasterassist.gov.au and https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/recovery.
SYDNEY NUMBER ONE FOR BUSINESS EVENTS
Sydney has been rated the world’s favourite Australian destination for business events in the International Congress and Convention Association 2024 Country and City Rankings. Meetings, events and hospitality technology provider Cvent has also named Sydney as one of its Top Meeting Destinations in the Asia Pacific. The global rankings come as BESydney reports securing 34 new meetings for 2025.
TOP 10 GLOBAL CITIES RANKING FOR SYDNEY
Sydney has entered the top 10 of the 2025 Global Cities Index by Oxford Economics. Ranked against the world's 1000 largest cities, Sydney was assessed across five categories: Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment and Governance. The report said: "Sydney’s economy gets a large contribution from tourism as it is home to some of Australia’s most famed landmarks, including the Sydney Opera House, the Harbour Bridge, and Bondi Beach."
NSW STARS IN SUNRISE PARTNERSHIP
Destination NSW partnered with the Seven Network from 19-23 May 2025 to deliver a week-long weather segment integration with Sunrise. The broadcast featured more than 22 operators and experiences across Bellingen, Ballina, Lismore, Byron Bay and Kingscliff. Sunrise is Australia's number one breakfast TV program.
BLUE MOUNTAINS BLITZES TIKTOK
The Blue Mountains National Park has been ranked the 18th most TikTok-famous Natural UNESCO World Heritage Site in the world and the most famous in Australia. Travel website Kuoni analysed TikTok content featuring more than 180 official UNESCO Natural World Heritage Sites and ranked the most popular locations.
CONSUMERS PRIORITISE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
EY's Media & Entertainment (M&E) Pulse Poll has revealed local and live entertainment experiences were the most popular purchases in the past year. The poll found older generations appreciated technology-enabled experiences as much as Gen Z, but Gen Z attached greater importance to sustainability. While cost and value were the top criteria, most respondents were willing to pay more for premium options.
SCOOT BOOSTS FLIGHTS TO SYDNEY
Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, has announced it will add four additional services between Singapore and Sydney. The new services will take its operations to twice daily at Sydney Airport from October 2025. With the addition of Scoot’s new service, Sydney Airport will account for almost a third of Australia’s total Singapore seat capacity, 25 per cent more than the next nearest airport.
NEW LOCAL BUSINESS LEGISLATION PASSES
Legislation to make it faster and easier for local businesses to establish Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) has passed NSW Parliament. An improvement district allows businesses to contribute to a central pot and fund projects that benefit them all and the community around them.
WESTERN HARBOUR
PILOT SUCCESS
Sydney's Western Harbour Waterfront has shared its progress during its participation in the pilot program for Community Improvement Districts (CIDs). The precinct experienced visitation growth of 20.9 per cent to 94.3 million annually and increased visitor frequency from 78 to 84 visits per year.
WORKSHOPS: EXPERIENCE DEVELOPMENT
Destination NSW is hosting Experience Development workshops in Coonamble (3 June) and Orange (5 June). The free, full-day workshops are delivered under the NSW First Program and are designed for businesses seeking to create new experiences or refine existing ones.
INDIAN OUTBOUND TRAVEL INSIGHTS
'The Future of Travel' report by FINN Partners and GSIQ Tourism Insights, has revealed how digital platforms, cultural curiosity and luxury aspirations are transforming Indian outbound travel. The report showed visual storytelling and YouTube were major decision drivers.
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS ART FAIR
Tickets are on sale for the National Indigenous Art Fair, which will return to Sydney's Overseas Passenger Terminal from 5-6 July 2025. Showcasing First Nations artists, designers and makers, the event is supported proudly by Destination NSW. Performances, panel discussions, bushfood and a communal weaving circle will also feature.
ATIA LAUNCHES YOUTH PLATFORM
The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has launched The Travel Gap, a digital platform designed to inspire and support school leavers to consider a career in Australia’s travel industry. The Travel Gap is a structured, national gap-year program that aims to create clear pathways into the industry by connecting young people with travel employers.
CRUISING SETS NEW RECORDS
Cruise Lines International Association’s 2025 State of the Cruise Industry report shows the sector set new records in 2024, with 34.6 million people taking an ocean cruise worldwide. The Australia/New Zealand/Pacific region experienced 3.8 per cent growth and was the seventh most visited global region.
NEWCASTLE HOSPITALITY & TOURISM AWARDS
The 2025 Newcastle Hospitality & Tourism Awards were held on 19 May at Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, recognising excellence across 12 categories. Newcastle and the Hunter region welcomed more than 11 million visitors and $4.3 billion in visitor expenditure in 2024.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
STRATEGY TO PROTECT NSW HERITAGE RELEASED: The NSW Government has invited community members and stakeholders to have their say on the new strategy. Learn more
CELEBRATING SYDNEY FISH MARKET'S RICH HISTORY: Blackwattle Bay’s Aboriginal and maritime histories will be honoured through a series of creative installations within the precinct. Learn more
BLUE PLAQUE UNVEILED FOR KOORI RUGBY LEAGUE KNOCKOUT: The Blue Plaque NSW program recognises the stories of individuals or moments in history. Learn more
AUSTRALIA MARKETPLACE NORTH AMERICA: Applications are open for the Tourism Australia event, which will be held from 15-17 September 2025. Learn more
COFFS HARBOUR FORESHORE PROPOSAL NOW ON PUBLIC EXHIBITION: The planning proposal provides the opportunity for more visitor economy infrastructure and walkable public open space. Learn more
MAJOR SAFETY UPGRADES FOR THE PRINCES HIGHWAY: The NSW Government is investing $60 million to deliver safety and congestion upgrades. Learn more
NSW WINTER ROAD TRIPS GUIDE: Destination NSW has produced a guide to four winter road trips - the Greater Blue Mountains drive, The Long Paddock drive, Riverina to Snowy Valleys Way and the Central to Outback NSW drive. Learn more
2025 OUTDOOR INDUSTRY SUMMIT: The program for the event, which will be held in Canberra from 8 - 11 July, has been released. 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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