Insights - 5 December 2025
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DESTINATION NSW ACCELERATES GROWTH IN
INDIA & SOUTHEAST ASIA VISITOR MARKETS
Destination NSW has unlocked new opportunities for the visitor economy, connecting NSW tourism suppliers with 60 influential travel buyers at its Focus on India & Southeast Asia event.
The event brought together delegates from Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and India for two days of appointment-based workshops, a networking dinner and a hands-on familiarisation program.
The networking dinner was attended by Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper and Destination NSW CEO Karen Jones.
“India, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam are among the fastest-growing travel markets in the world – and NSW is ready to capture that demand," Mr Kamper said.
“By working together – industry, government and partners – we can deliver experiences that inspire visitors and create more jobs across the state."
CULTURE STATION LAUNCHES AT CIRCULAR QUAY
The NSW Government is connecting visitors and locals with Sydney’s premier cultural attractions via a new one-stop shop at Circular Quay.
Culture Station is open seven days a week and provides information on opening hours, ticketing and transport options.
In the coming months, a $2 million investment will fund new directional wayfinding signs and posters across the CBD and Walsh Bay to better guide visitors to cultural destinations.
NEW RICK STEIN TV SERIES SHOWCASES BEST OF NSW
This week, Destination NSW hosted an exclusive launch at Australia House for the highly anticipated six-part TV series Rick Stein’s Australia.
The event, A Morning with Rick Stein, gave UK media and industry partners a sneak peek at the series, which follows the iconic chef on a road trip across NSW—celebrating our regional producers, chefs and vibrant food scene.
Highlights included an introduction from Deputy High Commissioner Elisabeth Bowes and a fireside chat with author Kathy Lette.
The series will air on BBC One and iPlayer in 2026, and on SBS in April 2026 - showcasing why NSW is a must-visit destination for food lovers worldwide. Learn more here.
The launch coincided with the official opening of Rick Stein's new flagship Australian restaurant at InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach.
InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach is the first luxury hotel on Sydney’s eastern coastline. Rick Stein at Coogee Beach brings the chef's philosophy of 'fresh seafood, simply prepared' to one of the city's favourite coastal destinations.
FIRST HOBART TO NEWCASTLE FLIGHT
Jetstar has launched its new Hobart-Newcastle route, with three weekly return services operating until 21 April 2026. Combined with Jetstar’s four existing domestic routes between Newcastle and Brisbane, Cairns, Gold Coast and Melbourne, the airline now operates more than 770,000 seats a year in and out of the airport. The new route has been supported by the NSW Government's Aviation Attraction Fund, delivered by Destination NSW.
NEW AIRLINE LANDS AT SYDNEY AIRPORT
SmartLynx Australia’s first Lord Howe Island–Sydney flight touched down at Sydney Airport this week. It follows Transport for NSW awarding the route licence to the airline. The route is being operated by a Dash-8 aircraft acquired from Qantas, with the two airlines partnering under a full codeshare agreement. SmartLynx Australia said it looked forward to expanding its Sydney footprint and continuing its regional aviation growth across NSW.
SOUTHERN NSW & ACT ROUNDTABLE
Tourism’s role in shaping regional prosperity took centre stage at the Southern NSW & ACT Tourism Roundtable. Hosted by Regional Development Australia Southern NSW & ACT, the forum brought together leaders, operators and stakeholders. Destination NSW Acting General Manager Consumer Marketing Stephen Mahoney delivered a keynote address outlining the NSW Government’s bold new roadmap for growth—the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035—and the vital role regional NSW will play in its success.
NEW CENTRAL WEST AND HUNTER CONTENT
Destination NSW has added new Bathurst, Mudgee, Orange and the Hunter Valley boutique experiences and key products to its Content Library. The video and photographic shoots align to the Destination NSW regional marketing strategy and are available to download. From award-winning wineries to unique agritourism experiences and small-town country landscapes, the albums offer a wealth of assets to help tell NSW stories. Further regions will be captured in 2026 and added to the Content Library.
PENRITH BEACH RETURNS FOR THIRD SEASON
Penrith Beach, otherwise known as Pondi, is set to reopen on 7 December 2025. Opening hours will be extended this year from 7am to 7pm in the peak of summer, with more shade and amenities added thanks to a $5.2 million NSW Government investment. Since opening in December 2023, Penrith Beach has attracted more than 330,000 visitors.
SYDNEY TO HOST AUSTRALIA NEXT 2027
Tourism Australia’s signature incentive showcase—Australia Next—will be hosted in Sydney in 2027. Run in partnership with BESydney, the event will connect the business events industry with international planners and build a strong pipeline of future events. The city's best incentive experiences will also be showcased.
OPRAH PROMOTES SYDNEY VISITOR EXPERIENCES
Oprah Winfrey visited Sydney's icons, food scene and natural wonders ahead of her "In Conversation" appearance at TikTok Entertainment Centre on 4 December. The global media leader, who has 21 million followers on Facebook alone, shared videos of herself exploring Bondi, Royal National Park and the Sydney Opera House.
NSW REACHES 100,000 EV MILESTONE
NSW has reached the milestone of 100,000 electric vehicles on its roads, signalling strong consumer demand and helping cut emissions, with an estimated 121 million litres of petrol saved every year—equal to nearly 145,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. The NSW Government is driving this shift by investing in charging infrastructure across the state.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
NEW DATA ON SUMMER TRAVEL PLANS: Tourism & Transport Forum research shows 74 per cent of Australians are planning a holiday this summer, including 34 per cent intending to travel in their own state and 25 per cent travelling interstate. Learn more
ABS DATA REVEALS DISCRETIONARY SPENDING GROWTH: Spending in hotels, cafes and restaurants rose 2.2 per cent in October 2025. Learn more
FUNDING FOR NSW CELLAR DOORS: The Australian Government has announced an additional $10 million in funding through the latest round of the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grants program, with 37 successful recipients from NSW. Learn more
SYDNEY TOUR OPERATOR NOMINATED FOR BEST OF GAYCITIES 2025 AWARDS: Drag Queen Walking Tour is a finalist in the Tour Operator category. Vote here
MARRINAWI COVE REOPENS FOR SUMMER: The Barangaroo swim spot has officially re-opened following an upgrade undertaken by the NSW Government. Learn more
REGISTER FOR DESTINATION AUSTRALIA 2026: Tourism Australia's annual conference will be held on 19 March 2026 with the theme 'Accelerating future growth, competitiveness and sustainable tourism'. Learn more
BYRON BAY WETLAND RESTORED: Sandhills Wetlands has reopened following the NSW Government's restoration project to reduce the impact of flooding and keep pollution away from the region's beaches. Learn more
2026 OUTDOOR INDUSTRY CENSUS OPENS: The census is designed to help stakeholders understand the challenges and opportunities for the industry. 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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