Insights - 14 August 2026
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TOP NSW HOLIDAY PARKS FOR 2026
Winners of the Caravan & Camping Industry Association NSW (CCIA NSW) 2026 Awards of Excellence were announced on 13 August at the Western Sydney Convention Centre.
The ceremony recognised outstanding businesses, employees, emerging leaders and teams across the holiday park, residential land lease community, manufacturing and caravan trade sectors.
BIG4 Tweed Billabong Holiday Park won NSW Holiday Park of the Year (Fewer than 100 Sites); while Discovery Holiday Parks Forster and Tathra Beach Eco Camp were joint winners of NSW Holiday Park of the Year (More than 100 Sites).
The 2026 CCIA NSW Awards of Excellence were proudly supported by Destination NSW.
Learn more here.
NSW NUMBER ONE FOR CARAVAN AND CAMPING TRIPS
NSW has cemented its position as Australia’s number one destination for caravan and camping holidays, attracting more than one in three domestic caravan and camping visitors.
According to Tourism Research Australia data, NSW was the destination of choice for 5.5 million domestic caravan and camping visitors in 2025.
WESTERN SYDNEY TAKE-OFF FUND LANDS VIETJET
Vietjet has announced it will fly into Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) from January 2027.
The airline will operate two weekly services from Ho Chi Minh City, increasing to three weekly services by March 2027. The airline’s joint venture – Vietjet Thailand – also plans to operate four weekly services between WSI and Bangkok from November 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.
The Ho Chi Minh City-Sydney route is supported by the Destination NSW-managed Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund.
Tourism Research Australia data shows travellers from Vietnam and Thailand injected $505.5 million into the NSW visitor economy in the year ending March 2026.
Learn more here.
SYDNEY AIRPORT 2045 MASTER PLAN APPROVED
The Master Plan 2045 for Sydney Airport has been approved, recognising its role as a critical domestic and international gateway.
The plan includes the expansion of the international T1 terminal and redevelopment of the T2 and T3 domestic terminals.
Sydney Airport is expected to welcome more than 72 million passengers annually by 2045, including 36.4 million international passengers.
WEBINAR: NEW ANTI-GREENWASHING RULES
The European Union's Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive takes effect on 27 September 2026. It bans generic, unverified environmental claims such as "eco-friendly", "green" or "sustainable" in tourism marketing.
Tourism operators targeting European travellers will be required to back their sustainability statements with verifiable evidence or accredited third-party certification.
Tourism Australia will host an industry webinar on 21 August 2026 to help businesses prepare for the new requirements.
ATE27 EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
Destination NSW is inviting export-ready NSW visitor economy businesses to express interest in opportunities associated with the Australian Tourism Exchange 2027 (ATE27). Australia’s largest annual travel and tourism event will return to Sydney from 16-20 May 2027. Expressions of interest close on 21 August 2026.
TOP NSW TOUR GUIDES ANNOUNCED
NSW Tourism Association has announced the winners of the 2026 NSW Top Tour Guide Awards, recognising the outstanding individuals who bring NSW’s destinations, stories and experiences to life for visitors every day. The 2026 NSW Top Tour Guide will represent the state at the Australian Top Tour Guide Awards in Canberra next month.
FUNDING FOR UPTOWN DISTRICTS
The NSW Government is supporting the growth of entertainment precincts across NSW with the latest round of the Uptown Grant Program delivered by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner. Through a grant injection of $4.8 million, 41 Districts will receive funding under Round 4 of the program, with six new Districts joining the initiative for the first time.
RUN PERKS PUT SYDNEY IN MARATHON MODE
The TCS Sydney Marathon has launched Run Perks, a new program highlighting hospitality, tourism and experience operators across Sydney from 24-31 August 2026. The program invites runners, supporters, locals and visitors to fuel up, celebrate and explore more of Sydney during event week. The TCS Sydney Marathon is proudly supported by Destination NSW.
SYDNEY LEADS CULTURAL RECOVERY
New data from Roy Morgan shows Sydney's theatre, ballet and opera scene has experienced the strongest post-pandemic recovery in the nation. Sydney attracted 869,000 people to live theatre, ballet or opera in the year ending March 2026, compared to 822,000 people in Melbourne. Since pandemic restrictions lifted in 2022, Sydney’s recovery has been faster and more sustained.
EVENT OF THE YEAR NOMINEES ANNOUNCED
The Australian Event Awards has announced its 2026 finalists. Best Event (National) nominees include Vivid Sydney, Deni Ute Muster and Handa Opera: The Phantom of the Opera. Destination NSW is also proud to be a finalist in the Achievement (National) category for its work on Vivid Sydney. Winners will be announced on 21 October in Coffs Harbour.
SYDNEY TOPS HOTEL MARKET
Accommodation Australia's 2026 Hotel Occupancy Mid-Year Report Card has revealed Sydney was the strongest-performing capital city during the period. Average occupancy increased to 80.3 per cent. CEO James Goodwin said: “Major events including the New Year’s Ashes Test, Mardi Gras and Vivid Sydney helped sustain demand.”
AUSTRALIA'S AIRPORT OF THE YEAR
Newcastle Airport has been named Airport of the Year at the 2026 Australian Aviation Awards following the opening of its international terminal and expansion of its route network. The airport's award submission focused on readiness for international operations, terminal design, carbon reduction measures and visitor economy contribution.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
BOOKING.COM RELEASES TRAVEL HAPPINESS INDEX: The report explores the emotional, financial and social drivers of travel among APAC travellers. Learn more
TOURISM & TRANSPORT FORUM (TTF) SUPPORTS SYDNEY TOWN HALL SQUARE: TTF said designs released this week offered a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a new city landmark. Learn more
WORLD-LEADING SCIENCE MEETING FOR SYDNEY IN 2028: BESydney has partnered with leading scientists to secure the 33rd Annual Meeting of the RNA Society, which will attract 1200 delegates and an estimated $5.1 million in direct expenditure. Learn more
REGIONAL LEADERS RECOGNISED BY BUSINESS NSW: 10 business and community leaders have been acknowledged for their contributions during Business NSW's 200th anniversary celebration. Learn more
EXCAVATION BEGINS ON FINAL SECTION OF WESTERN HARBOUR TUNNEL: The NSW Government project is on track to open to traffic in 2028. Learn more
MICHELIN-RECOGNISED CHEFS HEAD TO SYDNEY: Swedish chef Björn Frantzén from Én by Björn Frantzén and Thai chef Pichaya Soontornyanakij from POTONG will open venues at Crown Sydney in 2027. Learn more
AIRLINERATINGS.COM ANNOUNCES 2026 FLYERS' CHOICE AWARD WINNERS: Accolades included Jetstar being ranked as a top three Favourite Low-Cost Carrier. Learn more
FOOD TOURISM SURVEY: UN Tourism is seeking insights on how organisations approach food sourcing and procurement, circularity, waste management, redistribution and sustainability strategies. 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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