Insights - 14 November 2025
No images? Click here
AUSTRALIA CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL
VISITOR RECOVERY
International visitor arrivals to Australia surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the first time in September 2025. The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows there were 696,500 short-term visitor arrivals during the month, an increase of 10.4 per cent on one year earlier.
The milestone coincides with NSW celebrating international visitor arrivals to the state surpassing pre-pandemic levels for the second consecutive month.
New Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows there were 256,380 short-term arrivals to NSW in September 2025, up from 251,730 in September 2019.
Learn more here.
NEW SINGAPORE-NEWCASTLE ROUTE
Jetstar has announced that its Denpasar (Bali)-Newcastle service, which took off for the first time on 21 October 2025, will connect with its daily Singapore-Denpasar service from March 2026.
Travellers from Singapore will be able to seamlessly fly to Newcastle with a 90-minute layover in Bali, opening a single-ticket gateway into the Hunter for the first time.
The service from Bali will also increase from three to four flights per week, adding new capacity to the already popular route.
The NSW Government is proud to have secured this extra capacity through the Aviation Attraction Fund, supporting the delivery of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035.
SYDNEY TO SPARKLE THIS CHRISTMAS
The NSW Government has unveiled the 2025 Sydney Festive Season program, featuring new and expanded events that will cement the city as the ultimate Christmas destination.
Locals and visitors alike will be invited to experience Sydney's unique, vibrant summer holiday spirit, with a calendar of events, cultural showcases and community celebrations.
The 2025 Sydney Festive Season will officially begin on 27 November with Santa’s Sydney Sleigh Ride and the lighting of the Martin Place Christmas Tree, presented by the City of Sydney.
Pictured: Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper launched the 2025 Sydney Festive Season in Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour.
REGISTRATIONS CLOSING: NSW VISITOR ECONOMY FORUM
Destination NSW invites you to a pivotal day of insight, collaboration and action as we bring the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035 to life.
With a bold vision to grow annual visitor expenditure to $91 billion, create 150,000 new jobs, unlock 40,000 accommodation rooms and add 8.5 million airline seats, the event will show how the new Strategy is shaping the future of the visitor economy in NSW.
Date: Tuesday 18 November 2025
Time: 8:30am–2pm
Location: ICC Sydney, Grand Ballroom (Level 5)
NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035 – Vision to Action will be an opportunity to connect with industry leaders, government partners and innovators as we move from strategy to implementation—together.
Speakers will include Roy Morgan Head of Travel and Tourism Adele Labine-Romain, CommBank iQ CEO Makenna Ralston and FiftyFive5 Director Peter Firth.
Pictured: Visitor Economy Forum MC Rae Johnston.
TOURISM BOOST FOR VENUES NSW PRECINCTS
The NSW Government has moved legislation to allow for the development of visitor and residential accommodation on Venues NSW land in Western Sydney, Newcastle and the Illawarra. Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said the move would unlock the potential of the state’s stadiums and entertainment centres as vibrant precincts.
FIRST ANNIVERSARY FOR JUNEYAO ROUTE
Juneyao Air has celebrated the first anniversary of its direct Shanghai-Sydney route, which has welcomed more than 100,000 passengers since the inaugural service touched down in December 2024. Destination NSW collaborated with Juneyao Air and Sydney Airport through the Aviation Attraction Fund to secure the service.
JT TRAVELS HEADS TO SOUTH COAST
As part of Destination NSW's ongoing partnership with Channel Seven’s Weekend Sunrise, JT Travels NSW will be filmed live from Eden and Goulburn on 21-22 November 2025, together with a pre-record in Merimbula.
GLOW-UP FOR OXFORD STREET
The NSW Government has announced Sydney's Oxford Street will receive upgraded footpaths, more trees, open space, better lighting and the completion of the eastern cycle path from Taylor Square to Centennial Park.
PENRITH TO HOST LGNSW CONFERENCE
More than 1000 delegates will gather in Penrith from 23-25 November 2025 for the Local Government NSW Annual Conference. Mayors, councillors and senior staff from the state’s 128 councils will attend alongside government and industry leaders, boosting the city’s visitor economy by nearly $1 million.
NSW YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Nedd Brockmann has been named NSW Young Australian of the Year. The ultramarathon runner, motivational speaker and advocate for the homeless was one of six 'Icons of Culture' who featured in Destination NSW's Feel New in Sydney campaign. View his guide to recharging in Sydney here.
EDEN CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF CRUISING
Eden is celebrating two decades of cruise tourism, having welcomed almost 200 ships and more than 400,000 visitors and crew since Pacific Princess first docked at the port in 2005. During the 2025-26 season, 34 ships are scheduled to visit Eden, injecting millions of dollars into the Sapphire Coast visitor economy.
COUNTING DOWN TO SYDNEY SUMMIT 2026
Hosted by the Committee for Sydney, the 2026 Sydney Summit will be held on 6 February 2026 with the theme 'The Bold City'. The half-day conference will feature data insights alongside panel sessions and fireside chats with industry leaders, politicians and young talent to discuss issues and opportunities for growth.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
GRANTS OPEN TO CELEBRATE ABORIGINAL CULTURES AND CONNECTION: Aboriginal Affairs NSW is offering grants between $1000 and $20,000 to support the continuation of living cultures. Learn more
CONSTRUCTION COMPLETE AT NEW SYDNEY FISH MARKET: Keys have been officially handed over by the NSW Government to enable the completion of fit-outs. Learn more
REX CREDITORS ACCEPT BUYOUT OFFER: Air T will become the airline's new owner by mid-December 2025. Learn more
SYDNEY FESTIVAL 50TH ANNIVERSARY PROGRAM: From 8-25 January, theatre, dance, music, visual arts and immersive experiences will be held at venues and pop-up spaces throughout the city. Sydney Festival is proudly supported by Destination NSW. Learn more
SYDNEY'S CULINARY COASTLINE: Destination NSW has released a guide to the top waterfront dining spots across Greater Sydney. Learn more
CONSULTATION OPEN ON 1965 FREEDOM RIDE TRAIL BLUE PLAQUES: Heritage NSW has invited the community to help decide which towns along the Freedom Ride route could be recognised with a blue plaque. Learn more
CITY AND BUSH BENEFIT FROM $6.5M COMMUNITY GRANT PROGRAM: Recipients include Gosford Arts Centre and Lavington Tennis & Pickleball Club. Learn more
AUSTRALIAN SUPERYACHT CONFERENCE RETURNS IN 2026: The conference will debut in Sydney on 24 February with a refreshed format and industry focus. 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
