Insights - 25 July 2025
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NEW AVIATION FUND TO BOOST
NSW VISITOR ECONOMY
The NSW Government has announced the NSW Take Off Fund, a new $12.5 million aviation program to secure more flights for NSW airports and grow the visitor economy across the state.
The fund will support the NSW Government's ambitions to boost airline seat capacity by 8.5 million seats over the coming years, ensuring the state remains competitive in the global race for air routes and visitor markets.
Delivered by Destination NSW, the NSW Take Off Fund will provide financial and marketing support to international and domestic routes that commit to launching new or additional services into NSW airports.
Further information, including fund criteria and application timelines, will be made available soon.
Pictured: Sydney Airport CEO Scott Charlton, Western Sydney International Airport CEO Simon Hickey and Newcastle Airport Executive GM People and Communications Burcak Sezer, alongside airline staff.
THE TOP GROWTH SEGMENTS TRANSFORMING THE
TRAVEL LANDSCAPE
A new report by the World Economic Forum has explored sustainable growth opportunities for the global visitor economy.
Travel and Tourism at a Turning Point: Principles for Transformative Growth highlighted four segments that are emerging as significant growth drivers.
Travel for live events, ecotourism, wellness tourism and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) are all expanding at rates exceeding sector averages.
Pictured: Mundi Mundi Bash will return to the Mundi Mundi Plains near Broken Hill from 21-23 August 2025, supported proudly by Destination NSW.
UNLOCKING THE POTENTIAL OF
NATURE-BASED TOURISM
NSW is Australia’s number one destination for nature-based tourism, with the state welcoming 35.3 million domestic visitors in 2024 who engaged in nature or outdoor-based activities.
Nature-based travel experiences connect visitors with the natural environment, whether on land or in the water.
Destination NSW will host a Creating Nature-based Experiences webinar on 28 July 2025. Featuring guest speakers from Australia By Nature, CoastXP and Navigate Expeditions, the webinar will explore how attraction, accommodation, tour and activity operators can tap into growing demand for nature-based travel.
WEBINAR: CRUISE SHORE EXPERIENCES
NSW welcomed more than 1.2 million passengers and crew from 312 cruise ships during the 2024-25 cruise season, with 2025-26 set to be another winner for the visitor economy. Destination NSW will host a free webinar on 5 August 2025 - ‘How to create unforgettable cruise shore experiences’ – which will explore creating, enhancing and delivering world-class cruise shore experiences.
WINTER CELLAR DOOR EVENT FOR SYDNEY
Wine Australia will launch a new consumer campaign on 1 August 2025, designed to reconnect consumers with Australian wine. NSW Wine will elevate the campaign during a Winter Cellar Door event on 17 August at Carriageworks. Supported proudly by Destination NSW, the event will showcase more than 100 wines from 20 wineries across the state, alongside local cuisine and live music.
HOSPITALITY REGULATION ROADSHOW
The NSW Government held a Hospitality and Racing Regulatory Roadshow event in Gosford on 22 July 2025. Since launching in 2023, the roadshow has travelled to 12 regions across NSW, providing information on vibrancy reforms aimed at revitalising the hospitality sector. Two further events will be held in the Ballina Byron region and Bega later this year.
MOST PUNCTUAL AIRLINE IN JUNE 2025
Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics data for June shows Qantas has regained its position as the most punctual airline. During the month, 81.2 per cent of Qantas flights took off on time and 80.4 per cent arrived within 15 minutes of schedule. However, Qantas also had the highest rate for discontinued services at 3.5 per cent.
BESYDNEY EXPANDS INDIA PRESENCE
In response to increasing numbers of Indian corporations enquiring about incentive events in Sydney, Business Events Sydney (BESydney) has appointed Devanshi Parikh to represent the destination in India. She will be based at Destination NSW's Mumbai office.
FINGAL BAY CELEBRATES WHALE SEASON
Port Stephens has marked whale-watching season with its annual Human Whale event. Hundreds of people gathered at Fingal Bay to form the outline of a whale on the sand. Port Stephens is a popular whale-watching destination on the East Coast's 'Humpback Highway'.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
TEAMS CONFIRMED FOR AFC WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP AUSTRALIA 2026™: The final draw will take place at Sydney Town Hall on 29 July 2025. The tournament is supported proudly by Destination NSW. Learn more
WESTERN SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT FLIGHTPATH: Airservices Australia has released the detailed flightpath design for the airport and is seeking community feedback. Learn more
CRUISE MONTH RETURNS: Cruise Lines International Association's annual Cruise Month campaign will return in October 2025. Learn more
MUST-SEE SPRING SPORTING EVENTS IN SYDNEY: Destination NSW has released a guide to some world-class sporting events across the city over the spring months. Learn more
NEW ANNUAL FESTIVAL RETURNS THIS SEPTEMBER: The City of Newcastle has unveiled the 2025 New Annual program, supported by the NSW Government including funding through the Destination NSW Regional Event Fund. Learn more
NSW OPEN REGIONAL QUALIFYING SERIES UNDERWAY: Regional qualifying for the 2025 Ford NSW Open is now taking place across the state, supported proudly by Destination NSW. Learn more
FERRIES RETURN TO BALMAIN WEST WHARF: After more than a decade, ferry services will resume at Balmain West from 18 August 2025. 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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