Insights - 6 February 2026
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GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS DELIVERS
LIVE MUSIC ACROSS NSW
Missy Higgins, Paul Kelly, Jet, Baker Boy, Lime Cordiale, Jessica Mauboy and Peking Duk are among the Australian artists set to light up NSW stages from 1-17 May during Great Southern Nights 2026.
The annual celebration of live music will bring more than 300 gigs to cities and regions across the state, including Western Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Dubbo, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga, Byron Bay, Brunswick Heads, South Coast and Orange.
In a first for Great Southern Nights, the program has introduced Live Fest, a series of single-day events in Dubbo and Tamworth that will give music lovers the chance to enjoy curated line-ups and weekends away in regional NSW.
Great Southern Nights is proudly delivered by Destination NSW in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).
BUSIEST YEAR ON RECORD FOR SYDNEY AIRPORT'S
INTERNATIONAL TERMINAL
Sydney Airport recorded its busiest year ever for its T1 International terminal in 2025, with particularly strong growth from China.
More than 17 million passengers flew in and out of the terminal during the period. The airport also recorded its busiest quarter on record for international travel, with more than 4.62 million passengers travelling through the terminal in the final quarter (October to December), a 5.9 per cent increase on 2024.
Chinese passport holders increased by 12.2 per cent year-on-year. This was supported by additional capacity between Sydney and China, including China Southern Airlines’ expansion of its Guangzhou-Sydney services to three daily flights year‑round — the highest frequency ever operated on the route.
RUGBY WORLD CUP SCHEDULE RELEASED
The match schedule for the Men’s Rugby World Cup Australia 2027 has been revealed, with Sydney set to become the undisputed heartbeat of the tournament.
The Harbour City will host 13 matches across two world-class venues — Stadium Australia and Sydney Football Stadium — including one of the most anticipated fixtures of the pool phase, Australia versus New Zealand, plus two quarterfinals, both semi-finals, the bronze final and the Rugby World Cup 2027 Final.
Newcastle is also set for an exciting pool phase program, hosting four matches across three action-packed weekends.
The Men’s Rugby World Cup Australia 2027 is proudly supported by Destination NSW.
Pictured: Wallabies Captain Harry Wilson, 1999 Wallabies Captain John Eales, Destination NSW CEO Karen Jones, World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson and Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh.
DESTINATION NSW HEADS TO AIME 2026
Destination NSW is partnering with BESydney at Asia Pacific Incentive and Meeting Event (AIME) 2026 to showcase why NSW is Australia’s leading business events destination. More than 40 NSW venues, hotels and experience providers will be on show at the Asia Pacific’s largest business events exhibition. Visit the Business Events NSW team at stand C23 from 9-11 February.
BIENNALE OF SYDNEY PROGRAM UNVEILED
The Biennale of Sydney has announced further highlights for the festival. Proudly supported by Destination NSW, the program will be presented free to the public from 14 March to 14 June 2026 at White Bay Power Station, Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Chau Chak Wing Museum at the University of Sydney, Campbelltown Arts Centre, and Lewers: Penrith Regional Gallery.
AFC WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP CELEBRATION
The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency Sam Mostyn, hosted a Women in Sport & Business Leadership celebration this week at Sydney's Admiralty House, ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™. The tournament is proudly supported by Destination NSW.
GLOBAL AWARD FOR SYDNEY METRO
Sydney's Gadigal Station has taken out the Prix Versailles World Title – Special Prize for Interior at the 2025 ceremony. A defining feature of the station is its integration of Aboriginal cultural heritage. It recently unveiled Return of the Gadi Reed - four striking cast-aluminium sculptures by Rowena Welsh-Jarrett, Alison Page and Dakota Dixon.
ATIC PROGRAMS SUPPORT AWARDS FINALISTS
The Australian Tourism Industry Council has revealed that engagement with the Quality Tourism Framework played an important role in business development for the majority of finalists in the 2025 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. Among the 172 national finalists,168 have accreditation through Quality Tourism programs.
NIGHT-TIME ECONOMY REPORT RELEASED
The NSW Government’s State of the Night report has captured the yearly change and growth of the state’s night-time economy, measuring its impact for the first time. Data shows the night-time economy generates almost $110 billion each year, employs 1.3 million workers between 6pm and 6am and includes more than 168,000 businesses.
VIVID SYDNEY LOCAL BUSINESS PROGRAM
Applications are open for the Vivid Sydney 2026 Local Business Program. Delivered by Destination NSW, the program is designed to help small and medium-sized businesses tap into the momentum of Australia’s largest event, helping to drive foot traffic and spending. Businesses selected to participate will receive assets such as LED screens, window decals and a digital toolkit.
FREE DIGITAL SKILLS WEBINARS
Registrations are open for the second series of Destination NSW's Digital Skills Future Ready webinars, delivered in partnership with Tourism Tribe. The initiative includes eight webinars and limited places for one-hour coaching sessions. The initiative will support visitor economy businesses to upskill in areas including digital marketing, AI and online distribution.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
MARDI GRAS 2026—WHERE TO STAY AND PLAY IN SYDNEY: Destination NSW has published a guide to soaking up the city's inclusive atmosphere. Learn more
REFLECTIONS HOLIDAYS CELEBRATES SUCCESSFUL INDUSTRY-FIRST GUIDE: Ultimate Guide to Summer is a curated collection of camping, coastal and holiday inspiration designed to help Australians make the most of the warmer months. Learn more
NSW WOMEN OF THE YEAR 2026 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED: The NSW Government is celebrating 31 remarkable women and girls who are improving lives, driving innovation, strengthening communities and inspiring future generations. Learn more
HAVE YOUR SAY ON OUTDOOR DINING IN SYDNEY: City of Sydney is seeking feedback on its updated guidelines to make spaces more attractive and accessible. Learn more
NSW CITIES TO GET GREENER AND COOLER WITH $10 MILLION PLANTING BOOST: The NSW Government is delivering funding to plant around 24,000 trees across Greater Sydney, the Illawarra-Shoalhaven region, the Hunter and the Central Coast. 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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