Insights - 6 March 2026
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NEW RESEARCH: NSW VISITOR EXPERIENCES
Destination NSW has released new research—NSW visitor experiences: state of play—which provides insights on the trends influencing tourism demand.
Conducted in partnership with FiftyFive5, the research explores the Australian domestic tourism landscape, including the level of interest and motivation for different visitor experiences.
Delivering on two NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035 pillars—Focus on Experiences and Leverage Data & Insights—the initiative features 10 reports: Agritourism, Aboriginal Experiences, Aquatic and Coastal Experiences, Arts and Culture, Journeys, Luxury and Wellness, Nature-based Experiences, Outdoor Activities, Social Impact Tourism and Urban Tourism.
The research was presented this week during an NSW First webinar, which attracted hundreds of registrations from visitor experience businesses, distributors, destination marketers and industry stakeholders.
10 REGIONAL NSW TOWNS GET NIGHT-TIME
VISITOR ECONOMY BOOST
Ten regional NSW towns will share $2 million in funding to grow their night-time economies under the NSW Government's Regional Night-Time Economy Program pilot.
The funding will support business collectives in Bathurst, Byron Bay, Hunter Valley, Lennox Head, Milton, Murrumbateman, Murwillumbah, Sawtell, Tamworth and Wagga Wagga to develop strategies, plans and ideas to support their region’s 24-hour economy through collective initiatives such as marketing campaigns, activations and events.
FIRST LOOK: VIVID SYDNEY FOOD PROGRAM
The 2026 Vivid Food program will showcase an expanded lineup celebrating the best of NSW produce, growers and culinary talent.
Among the stand-out events will be The Long Table Dinner: NSW Icons of Land & Sea. In a Vivid Sydney first, the dinner will take over the historic Strand Arcade for one night only on 30 May.
Curated and hosted by acclaimed chef, restaurateur and cookbook author Nino Zoccali from The Restaurant Pendolino, the evening will highlight select winners and nominees of the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW’s President’s Medal.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper joined Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolaou and Nino Zoccali for a preview of the event.
Vivid Sydney is proudly owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW.
WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT AT MATILDAS MATCH
Football fans across Australia will take part in a world record attempt on International Women’s Day (8 March), as part of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ match between the CommBank Matildas and Korea Republic at Stadium Australia. Fans will style their football jersey or fan gear and join the world record attempt for the most simultaneous selfies. The tournament is proudly supported by Destination NSW.
OVERWHELMING DEMAND FOR HANDA OPERA
Following overwhelming demand, Opera Australia has announced that new seats have been added to every performance during the already extended five-week season of The Phantom of the Opera, Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour. Running from 27 March to 3 May 2026, the custom-built grandstand will be expanded to accommodate an extra 160 seats for every show. Handa Opera is proudly supported by Destination NSW.
TWO NEW HOTEL PROJECTS FOR NSW
The NSW Government has endorsed the first tranche of projects through the Investment Delivery Authority, including two hotel projects valued at $482 million. The projects will now receive support from a dedicated concierge service, a planning assessments team within the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure and from a multi-agency Investment Taskforce based in the Premier’s Department.
REGIONAL RAIL FLEET EXPANDS
The NSW Government has marked a major milestone in the expansion of the Regional Rail Fleet, taking delivery of nine new trains, with two running on sections of the network as testing ramps up. When the full fleet of 29 trains is in service it will deliver improved comfort, accessibility and reliability for passengers, driving visitor economy growth in regional NSW. The $40.3 million XPT life-extension program is also progressing.
INBOUND TRAVEL DRIVES EXPORT GROWTH
Travel services rose 1.9 per in the December quarter according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data. ABS head of international statistics Jonathon Khoo said the increase was due to "more tourists travelling to Australia coinciding with various sporting events and concerts during the quarter".
ENTERTAINMENT HALL REOPENS AT WHITE BAY
The White Bay Power Station Entertainment Hall has been restored by the NSW Government and will open its doors as an arts and community space during Biennale of Sydney 2026. The 1950s hall was once at the centre of the area's social scene and is ready to host events of up to 200 people.
BLACKWATTLE BAY TRANSFORMATION
The NSW Government is preparing to redevelop the former Sydney Fish Market site into a new waterfront precinct. The project will begin with a boardwalk completing the missing link in the 15km Harbour Walk from Woolloomooloo to Rozelle Bay and delivering a 30-metre-wide waterfront promenade.
PLANS UNVEILED FOR BAYS WEST PRECINCT
The NSW Government has unveiled plans for a new residential and entertainment precinct at Bays West that will drive visitor economy growth for Sydney. The White Bay cruise terminal will be retained in its current location, with the new precinct providing a vibrant welcome for passengers.
BLAK MARKETS RETURNS TO LA PEROUSE
The Blak Markets has a new home in front of Sydney's La Perouse Museum and will host a festival program alongside stalls on 8 March 2026 from 10am until 3pm. The market will provide an opportunity to purchase authentic Aboriginal products.
G'DAY USA SUCCESS IN LOS ANGELES
Tourism Australia showcased Australia as a world-class tourism destination during G’day USA Week 2026, which included networking opportunties, business roundtables, an event showcasing sports tourism and the G'Day USA Arts Gala.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
SYDNEY AIRPORT LAUNCHES TAXI AND UBER BOOKING SERVICE: Available at the T1 International terminal in partnership with global travel services provider WeKnow, the service aims to provide a more seamless transit for visitors. Learn more
LEISURE TRAVEL LEADS RESULTS FOR VIRGIN AUSTRALIA: Revenue rose 9.3 per cent to $3.3 billion, driven by strong leisure demand. Learn more
TRAVEL DRIVES HOUSEHOLD SPENDING RISE: Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows discretionary spending rose in January 2026, driven by air transport, travel agency and tour services. Learn more
SYDNEY COMEDY FESTIVAL UNVEILS 2026 LINEUP: Proudly supported by Destination NSW, the festival will feature its largest program ever, with more than 400 shows from 13 April to 17 May. Learn more
COFFS HARBOUR HOSTS NATIONAL TOUCH FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS: The event is being held at C.ex Coffs International Stadium from 4-7 March 2026, proudly supported by Destination NSW. Learn more
TUNNELLING COMPLETE ON SYDNEY METRO WEST: A tunnel boring machine has cut through the final metre of sandstone into the future station at Hunter Street, marking the completion of all tunnelling on the 24km Sydney Metro West line. Learn more
NATURAL DISASTER DECLARATION FOR BELLINGEN, BEGA VALLEY AND NORTHERN BEACHES: Following severe weather between 14-19 January 2026, assistance has been activated by the Australian and NSW Governments. Learn more
BOOSTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES: The NSW Government has launched Australia’s first database to showcase women-owned businesses. Learn more
MAJOR PICKLEBALL ACTIVATION FOR SYDNEY: Business Sydney, ICC Sydney and House of Pickle are partnering to present a competition in Darling Harbour. Learn more
AUSTRALIAN SUPERYACHT CONFERENCE 2026 DEBUTS IN SYDNEY: The event on 24 February 2026 welcomed 100 delegates from around the world, aligning with the inaugural Sydney Charter Show at Jones Bay Superyacht Marina. 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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