Insights - 13 June 2025
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WESTERN SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL TAKE-OFF FUND
LANDS ITS FIRST ROUTE
The NSW Government’s Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund has secured a critical route, with Air New Zealand set to fly into Western Sydney International Airport (WSI).
The new service from Auckland is the first to be supported by the Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund. Administered by Destination NSW, the fund incentivises international airlines to fly into WSI ahead of its opening in late 2026.
Singapore Airlines, Qantas and Jetstar have already confirmed they will fly into WSI.
Tourism Research Australia data shows NSW welcomed 430,300 visitors from New Zealand in 2024, who contributed $453.8 million to the visitor economy.
Major construction works across WSI have been completed, with its terminal formally unveiled during a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The fit-out of the terminal's retail precinct and airline lounges will take place closer to the airport's opening as commercial tenders and final contracts continue to progress over the months ahead.
WSI is on track to open for domestic, international and air cargo services in late 2026.
GREAT WALKS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES
The NSW Government is rolling out a new ‘Find Your Path on a NSW Great Walk’ campaign that highlights seven spectacular multi-day walks across the state to address the growing interest in nature-based visitor experiences.
Delivered by Destination NSW and the National Parks and Wildlife Service, the new campaign highlights 275km of walking tracks in regional NSW that have opened to the public within the last two years.
The ‘Find Your Path on a NSW Great Walk’ campaign targets both experienced hikers and entry-level multi-day walkers offering self-guided and guided options, as well as camping and accommodation choices for overnight stays.
VIVID SYDNEY LIGHTS UP HOTEL DEMAND
Preliminary data from property analytics provider CoStar shows Vivid Sydney helped deliver Sydney's highest May hotel occupancy rate since 2019.
According to CoStar, occupancy peaked on Saturday, 31 May at 89.1 per cent thanks to the festival.
Destination NSW data shows the first two Saturdays of the festival attracted bumper crowds, with close to 200,000 people per night packing the city to experience the 100 per cent free Vivid Light Walk.
Learn more here.
VIVID SYDNEY GIVES BACK
Destination NSW is proud to have Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation as its official charity partner for Vivid Sydney 2025.
Funds raised will support the 159,000 sick children who pass through the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network each year.
Throughout this year’s festival, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation has an installation on the Vivid Light Walk in Tumbalong Park, Darling Harbour, which reflects the festival’s Dream theme.
The installation gives festivalgoers the opportunity to step into a digital canvas where children's dreams come alive in an evolving dreamscape.
A Sydney Sick Kids Day event was also held at the Dream Scene installation on 5 June.
Refettorio OzHarvest hosted a dinner series in collaboration with Vivid Sydney from 23 May to 12 June.
Our Shared Dream: A World With No Waste saw culinary artistry, sustainability and social impact come together for seven unforgettable dinners. Each night, a leading Australian chef joined forces with the Refettorio team to create a unique menu.
The line-up of chefs included Neil Perry AM, Paul Farag, Karima Hazim, Matt Moran, Jacqui Challinor, Aunty Beryl and Gabriel Conti.
For every Our Shared Dream ticket sold, at least six three-course meals were provided to people in need.
THE HON. GEORGE SOURIS RETIRES
Destination NSW acknowledges the retirement of the Hon. George Souris AM from its Board, following years of dedicated service and strategic leadership. Mr Souris brought deep expertise to the Board, drawing on his ministerial experience across tourism, major events, hospitality, racing and the arts. His insights were instrumental in shaping initiatives that continue to strengthen NSW’s position as a global visitor destination. We thank him for his exceptional contribution and wish him every success in the years ahead.
NEW TOURISM BOARD APPOINTMENTS
The NSW Government has made new Board appointments to ensure the visitor economy and its diverse offerings can continue to grow. University of Sydney Vice-President, External Engagement Kirsten Andrews has been appointed to the Destination NSW Board. Reflections Holidays Board appointments are the Hon. Adam Marshall, the Hon. Mick Veitch, former CEO of the Caravan and Camping Industry Association NSW Lyndel Gray and John King OAM, who is a current board member being reappointed.
KING'S BIRTHDAY HONOUR FOR SALLY LOANE
Destination NSW extends its congratulations to its Chairman Sally Loane AM on her appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours. The recognition reflects her decades of service across broadcasting, business, governance and philanthropy — fields in which she has led with purpose and broken new ground. At Destination NSW, we benefit every day from her strategic insight and her commitment to growing a stronger, more inclusive visitor economy.
KING'S BIRTHDAY HONOUR FOR LYN LEWIS-SMITH
BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis-Smith OAM has been recognised in the 2025 King’s Birthday Honours with a Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to tourism in NSW. Over more than two decades with BESydney — including 12 years as CEO — she has championed Sydney on the global stage, attracting world-leading events, forging international partnerships and showcasing the value of business events. Her work has delivered lasting outcomes for NSW’s visitor economy.
HUNTER AND CENTRAL COAST CRUISING MoU
Port Authority of NSW has launched a three-year partnership that brings together Newcastle Council, Lake Macquarie Council, Cessnock Council, Singleton Council, Port Stephens Council, Maitland Council, Central Coast Council, Destination Sydney Surrounds North and Newcastle Tourism Industry Group to enhance cruise visitor experiences that support sector growth in the region.
ATEC NEW PRODUCT PATHWAY
The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC), in partnership with Destination NSW, will deliver Explore NSW & ACT in the Southern Highlands from 18–19 August 2025. Destination NSW is offering access to ATEC 2025 New Product Pathway packages to enable businesses new to ATEC to participate in the event and develop and strengthen their relationships with key distributors.
WEBINAR: ACCESSIBLE EXPERIENCES
Destination NSW will host a free webinar series designed to provide practical tools and insights to help visitor economy businesses be more accessible and inclusive. Launching on 16 June 2025 in partnership with Get Skilled Access (founded by Paralympian and disability advocate Dylan Alcott AO), the series is part of the NSW First Program.
WEBINAR: EXPERIENCE DEVELOPMENT
Destination NSW is hosting a virtual Experience Development workshop on 26 June 2025. The free workshop will be delivered as part of the NSW First Program and is designed for businesses seeking to create new experiences or refine existing ones. It will suit businesses including accommodation, tours and visitor attractions.
APRIL ACCOMMODATION SPENDING RISES
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows accommodation and food services business turnover rose 3.8 per cent in April 2025 and was up 10.6 per cent year-on-year. ABS head of business statistics Robert Ewing said: "The 10-day super-break across the Easter and Anzac Day weekends boosted spending within the accommodation and food services industry in April."
BUSINESS EVENT TREND REPORT RELEASED
Corporate appetite for meetings, events and incentive travel is growing according to the inaugural Global Trends Report. Produced by FCM Meetings & Events, the report shows that corporate events have grown year-on-year globally since 2022. Across the Asia Pacific, 47 per cent of planners are putting their budget into bigger events, with 32 per cent expecting to spend more on events in 2025.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
$110 MILLION BOOST FOR MORE ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC SPACES: Projects include upgrades for Parramatta Park, Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney, Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Annan and Botanic Garden Mount Tomah. Learn more
ATEC ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIRMAN: The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) has appointed Deputy Chair Richard Doyle as its new Chairman. Learn more
NSW VISITOR ARRIVALS FOR APRIL 2025: Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows there were 235,560 short-term visitor arrivals in April. The top three source markets were New Zealand, China and the United States. Learn more
ST MARYS MASTER PLAN LAUNCHES: The Master Plan seeks to transform St Marys over the next 20 years. Learn more
2025 HUNTER VALLEY LEGENDS AWARDS: Tourism leaders and businesses were honoured at the awards, including 2025's Tourism Industry Living Legend, Margan Wines co-owner Lisa Margan. Learn more
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF AUSTRALIA'S $8.78 BILLION MUSIC INDUSTRY: A new report by Music Australia provides the first comprehensive measure of the economic contribution of the music industry. Learn more
HUGH JACKMAN AND RYAN REYNOLDS JOIN SAILGP: The actors have been announced as the new co-owners of the Australia SailGP Team. Destination NSW has secured the return of SailGP to Sydney Harbour in February 2026. 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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