Insights - 31 October 2025
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REGISTER TO ATTEND 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, and unlock 40,000 accommodation rooms and 8.5 million airline seats, this forum is your opportunity to help shape the future of the visitor economy in NSW.
Date: 18 November 2025
Time: 8:30am–2pm
Location: ICC Sydney
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.
INTERNATIONAL PASSENGER LEVELS SURGE AT
SYDNEY AIRPORT
Sydney Airport is on the runway to record its busiest year ever for international travel.
Almost 4.3 million international travellers passed through the T1 International terminal from July to September 2025, up 6.6 per cent year-on-year.
Chinese passport holders recorded 11.6 per cent growth, arrivals by British passport holders increased 26.1 per cent, while Indonesia and Japan grew 12.9 per cent and 7.2 per cent respectively.
The NSW Government's Aviation Attraction Fund, delivered by Destination NSW, has fuelled new and expanded routes for Sydney Airport, which welcomed a four per cent year-on-year uplift on international seat capacity during the latest period.
Learn more here.
TRIALS RAMP UP AT WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT
Preparations for opening day are underway at Western Sydney International Airport (WSI), with a trialling program commencing for dozens of technology systems and assets. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority is also conducting flight path safety checks.
The first large aircraft landed at WSI this week, an NSW Rural Fire Service 737, marking the most significant testing of the new airport to date.
WSI is on track to open for all services in the second half of 2026.
DESTINATION NSW HOSTS YOUTH TOURISM SHOWCASE
Destination NSW has strengthened the state’s position as Australia’s number one destination for youth travel with a Youth Tourism Product Showcase.
Held in partnership with Youth Tourism NSW, the appointment-based event connected visitor economy businesses with destination marketing experts. It provided an opportunity for operators to build relationships and leverage opportunities in this thriving tourism sector.
NSW is Australia’s leading destination for domestic overnight and international visitors aged between 15 and 29. Tourism Research Australia data shows the state welcomed 8.1 million domestic overnight youth tourism visitors in 2024, who stayed 23.5 million nights and spent $4.8 billion (up 5.4 per cent year-on-year).
View the top 10 international youth tourism markets for NSW here.
INBOUND STRATEGY WORKSHOPS
Destination NSW will host an online Inbound Strategy workshop for NSW visitor economy businesses on 6 November 2025. Delivered under the capability-building NSW First Program, the online workshop is designed to assist businesses to develop and sell export-ready products to international visitors via the inbound travel trade.
TRADE EVENT SUPPORT FOR ABORIGINAL TOURISM
Destination NSW is supporting businesses that provide Aboriginal experiences to attend Australian Tourism Exchange 2026 (ATE26). From 10–14 May 2026, ATE26 will bring together Australian visitor economy businesses and global distribution partners to conduct scheduled business appointments. Applications close 7 November 2025.
MARDI GRAS 2026 PROGRAM LAUNCHES
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival will return from 13 February to 1 March 2026, with the theme of ECSTATICA – ‘euphoria as resistance’. The festival will feature more than 80 events, opening with a Progress Pride Flag Raising at Sydney Town Hall on 13 February and culminating in the Mardi Gras Parade on 28 February, supported proudly by Destination NSW.
RECORD BALLOT ENTRIES FOR SYDNEY MARATHON
The TCS Sydney Marathon 2026 ballot has attracted the highest number of entries in the event's history. More than 123,000 runners entered, a 56 per cent increase on 2025. The response highlights Sydney’s growing reputation as one of the world’s most sought-after marathon experiences. TCS Sydney Marathon is proudly supported by Destination NSW.
NSW TRIUMPHS AT RESTAURANT AWARDS
NSW has taken home 34 Gold, Silver and Bronze awards at the 2025 Restaurant & Catering Hostplus National Awards for Excellence. Among the Gold winners were Doltone House Sydney Town Hall (Caterer of the Year) and The Old Saltbush Restaurant in Broken Hill (Tourism Restaurant of the Year).
NSW WINE MONTH LAUNCHES
NSW Wine Month will return in November, with events and experiences that celebrate the state's wine industry. Proudly supported by Destination NSW, the program will include wine tastings, dinners and chef collaborations. The flagship event, Sydney Cellar Door, will be held in The Rocks on 8-9 November 2026.
INQUIRY INTO REGIONAL AIRFARES
The Australian Government has released the terms of reference for the Productivity Commission Inquiry into regional airfares. The inquiry will look into all cost factors, including competition, pricing practices and the fairness of supply chain profits to build a clearer picture of how operating costs affect regional connectivity.
THREE HOTEL PROJECTS IN FIRST IDA ROUND
The NSW Government’s Investment Delivery Authority (IDA) has received proposals for three projects valued at $860 million related to hotels critical to visitor economy growth. The proposals include potential investment in new and upgraded hotels. Projects that are endorsed by the IDA will receive specialist government support.
CRUISE DELIVERS $3.94 BILLION TO NSW
NSW was the leading destination in Australia for cruise tourism in FY2024-25. The sector delivered $3.94 billion to the NSW visitor economy and supported more than 12,408 jobs according to a report by Cruise Lines International Association and the Australian Cruise Association.
GREAT SOUTHERN TRAILS INITIATIVE LAUNCHES
Destination Southern NSW has launched Great Southern Trails, a tourism initiative that aims to position the region as Australia’s premier mountain biking destination. Great Southern Trails features more than 550km of dedicated trails across 10 mountain bike trail networks.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
REGIONAL EVENT FUND SUPPORTS BUMPER NOVEMBER LINE-UP: The fund, delivered by Destination NSW, is backing seven events across the state. Read more
AUSTRALIANS FAVOUR REGIONAL TRIPS FOR SUMMER: New research shows almost 3.3 million travellers will holiday in their own backyard. Learn more
OASIS CONCERTS BOOST SYDNEY HOTEL BOOKINGS: Hotel bookings are up almost 10 per cent year-on-year during the British band's Sydney concert dates. Learn more
THE BEST PUBS IN NSW: Parc Pavilion Cronulla and The Oxford Bathurst have been named the 2025 Metropolitan and Regional Hotels of the Year at the AHA NSW Awards for Excellence. Learn more
BIENNALE OF SYDNEY ANNOUNCES FURTHER ARTISTS: An additional 16 artists and collectives have been added to the 2026 program, bringing the current total to 53, with a full list to be announced in the coming months. Learn more
STREET LEAGUE SKATEBOARDING RETURNS TO SYDNEY: Sydney's Ken Rosewall Arena will host the season opening event of the SLS World Championship Tour, proudly supported by Destination NSW. Learn more
POWERHOUSE PARRAMATTA CONSTRUCTION MILESTONE: Work on five of the seven exhibition spaces at Powerhouse Parramatta's Lang Walker Family Academy is complete, with the project moving into fit out ahead of opening in late 2026. Learn more
100-YEAR TIME CAPSULE FOR POWERHOUSE PARRAMATTA: The museum is preparing items to be included in a time capsule to be opened in 100 years. Learn more
CROWNE PLAZA TO OPEN IN PARRAMATTA: IHG Hotels & Resorts has announced Crowne Plaza Parramatta will open in 2029, opposite Parramatta Train Station. Learn more
NSW GOVERNMENT RELEASES NIGHTWORKER ACTION PLAN: Increasing the wellbeing and economic productivity of the state’s night workers is the focus of a new NSW Government initiative. Learn more
SIX YOUNG LEADERS JOIN BOARDS OF NSW'S OLDEST CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS: The Sydney Opera House, Art Gallery of NSW, Powerhouse Museum, Australian Museum, State Library of NSW and Museums of History NSW, have each added a new director aged 18-28 to their boards. Learn more
SNOWY MOUNTAINS MOUNTAIN BIKE PROJECT: The NSW Government is calling for investors in the Jindabyne Mountain Bike and Adventure Park. 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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