Insights - 30 May 2025
No images? Click here
NSW TOP TOURISM TOWNS FOR 2025 ANNOUNCED
The winners of the 2025 NSW Top Tourism Town Awards were announced this week by NSW Tourism Association at the Local Government NSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference in The Tweed.
In the Top Tourism Town category, Kiama took out Gold for the second year in a row, Merimbula earned Gold in the Small Tourism Town category after placing Silver in 2024 and Huskisson secured Gold for the second consecutive year in the Tiny Tourism Town category.
The three Gold-winning towns will represent NSW at the 2025 Australian Top Tourism Town Awards in Canberra later this year.
THE TWEED SHINES AT LGNSW CONFERENCE
The 2025 Local Government NSW (LGNSW) Destination and Visitor Economy Conference was held this week in Kingscliff, with councils urged to create authentic experiences that “locals love and visitors crave”.
Council representatives from across the state gathered in The Tweed to explore the critical role of tourism in driving economic growth, supporting local jobs, and strengthening community resilience.
Hosted by Tweed Shire Council, the event featured a program of keynotes, including Destination NSW Acting CEO Karen Jones, NSW 24-Hour Commissioner Michael Rodrigues and former Executive Director of Lonely Planet Gus Balbontin.
Destination NSW is a strategic partner of the conference.
Learn more here
NSW PRODUCE CELEBRATED AT VIVID SYDNEY
Australia’s largest event is once again transforming Sydney from 23 May to 14 June 2025, with the theme of Vivid Sydney, Dream.
Dreams are taking many forms during the festival and engage all the senses, including taste.
From flame-cooked feasts to sky-high fine dining, precinct-wide parties or dishes that tell a deeper story, the 2025 Vivid Food program is serving up a wide array of dreamy meals, with many events showcasing NSW produce and beverages.
MARTHA STEWART JOINS VIVID IDEAS
America's first self-made female billionaire and trailblazing global influencer Martha Stewart took to the stage this week at ICC Sydney during Vivid Sydney.
Appearing as part of Vivid's Global Storyteller series in conversation with writer and journalist Benjamin Law, Ms Stewart reflected on her extraordinary career, the evolution of her personal brand and the changing face of food, design and home life.
Learn more here.
BUSINESS NSW HOSTS VIVID SYDNEY SHOWCASE
This week, Destination NSW and Business Sydney brought together leaders from across the business and events sectors to celebrate creativity, collaboration and community at a special Vivid Sydney 2025 networking event.
Set against the backdrop of Vivid Sydney, guests heard from Festival Director Gill Minervini, who shared highlights from this year’s program and its theme: Dream.
A panel conversation hosted by Destination NSW Acting CEO Karen Jones explored the wide-ranging impact of Australia’s largest event — from culinary innovation and creative partnerships to social impact and business opportunity.
The panel featured Chef Neil Perry, who crafted a Vivid Food experience at Refettorio OzHarvest using rescued NSW produce; Danielle Alvarez, Culinary Director of Events at the Sydney Opera House, who curated a dining experience enhanced by contemporary dance; and Kristina Keneally, CEO of Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation (SCHF), Vivid Sydney’s 2025 charity partner.
The event also honoured Gill Minervini and outgoing BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith with Business Sydney Champion Awards, presented by Executive Director Paul Nicolaou.
PERTH FLIGHTS FOR NEWCASTLE AIRPORT
Newcastle Airport will welcome direct flights from Perth for the first time in September 2025, connecting the west coast capital with NSW’s second biggest city. QantasLink will launch the new route, backed by the NSW Government’s Aviation Attraction Fund, administered by Destination NSW.
PENRITH JOINS BIENNALE OF SYDNEY
The Biennale of Sydney has announced Penrith Regional Gallery will join its exhibition locations from 14 March to 14 June 2026. Claudia Chidiac and Paula Abood have been appointed as Community Ambassadors and will advise on community engagement in Western Sydney.
NSW SOMMELIER'S WINE LIST AWARD WINNERS
W Sydney's BTWN has been awarded the 2025 NSW Sommelier’s Wine List of the Year. The 2025 presentation was held at NSW Parliament House and hosted by NSW Wine Industry Association in partnership with Destination NSW. Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper presented BTWN's Daniele Campo with the winner's trophy.
RICK STEIN RESTAURANT FOR COOGEE
IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced it is converting Crowne Plaza Sydney Coogee Beach to InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach, featuring a new signature restaurant by celebrity chef Rick Stein. The chef's third NSW restaurant, alongside venues in Mollymook and Port Stephens, Rick Stein at Coogee Beach is set to open its doors later this year.
QANTAS BOOSTS TASMAN FLIGHTS
Qantas has announced more flights between New Zealand and Australia for the summer holiday period. Capacity across the Tasman will rise by up to 20 per cent throughout December 2025 and January 2026. This includes up to six additional flights a week on the Auckland-Sydney route, up to seven on the Christchurch-Sydney route and up to five on the Wellington-Sydney route.
FLIGHT PRICES CLIMB SLOWER THAN INFLATION
Flight Centre's business travel consulting arm has reported that the cost of airfares has increased at well below the rate of inflation over the last five years. According to reported pricing, a two-litre carton of milk has risen by 83 per cent and unleaded petrol is up 35 per cent, but domestic airfares are only up eight per cent. Airfares are predicted to plateau for the short-to-medium term.
NEW EV FAST CHARGERS ON THE WAY
The NSW Government is investing $16.1 million to install 246 fast and ultra-fast EV chargers across the state. The latest round of funding is boosted by private investment that will see a total of $41.2 million to roll-out the charging ports, all powered by renewable energy.
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.
SXSW SYDNEY ANNOUNCES FIRST MUSIC SPEAKERS
SXSW Sydney has unveiled the first speakers for its 2025 Music program, including Jen Malone (music supervisor behind Euphoria, Wednesday, Mr & Mrs Smith and Overcompensating) and Dr Marcus Collins (author of For The Culture, former digital strategist for Beyoncé). Destination NSW is the proud strategic partner of SXSW Sydney.
VALE AEA FOUNDER
DON ROSENFELDT
Destination NSW is deeply saddened by the passing of luxury travel pioneer Don Rosenfeldt. Mr Rosenfeld was an early advocate for sustainable and bespoke touring. He founded AEA Luxury Tours in 1989, at a time when premium guided experiences were still emerging. Destination NSW extends its deepest sympathies to his family and team.
THE LANDS BY CAPELLA UNVEILED
The former Department of Lands building has been unveiled by Pontiac Land Group as The Lands by Capella during a naming ceremony attended by government representatives, stakeholders and partners. The new name for the heritage-listed building pays homage to its storied past. It will house retail, food and beverage venues and event spaces,
HOTEL OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS
Raes on Wategos in Byron Bay has been named Boutique Hotel of the Year in the 2025 Gourmet Traveller Hotel and Travel Awards for its "seamless expansion and enduring intimate glamour". Sydney’s The Eve Hotel took top honours in the Best New Hotel category, recognised for its "vibrant, urban resort glamour and sophisticated design".
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
REFLECTIONS PROTECTS ENDANGERED FISH: Reflections Holidays is investing $1.13 million to protect endangered fish in partnership with the NSW Government's Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Learn more
PARRAMATTA POWERHOUSE REACHES NEW HEIGHTS: Powerhouse Parramatta has marked a major milestone, with the building reaching its full 75-metre height as the steel exoskeleton that wraps around the building is officially completed. Learn more
RECOVERY CENTRES OPEN IN FLOOD REGIONS: The NSW Government has opened Recovery Centres in flood-impacted parts of the state. They offer a range of support services. Learn more
TRAVEL UP FIVE PER CENT GLOBALLY: The May 2025 World Tourism Barometer from UN Tourism shows 300 million people travelled internationally in the first three months of 2025, 14 million more than in the same period in 2024. Learn more
NEW MICRO-CREDENTIAL TO POWER WESTERN SYDNEY AVIATION CAREERS: Western Sydney University, Bradfield Development Authority and Western Sydney International Airport have launched the Introduction to Aviation Operations Micro-credential. 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
