Insights - 21 February 2025
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DESTINATION NSW POWERS UP EV-FRIENDLY
ROAD TRIPPING IN NSW
Destination NSW has launched a new marketing campaign, ‘Recharge Here’, that promotes electric vehicle-friendly road tripping across the state.
The campaign features nine EV-friendly road trips in Greater Sydney and regional NSW. The itineraries include the locations of EV charging stations along the routes so drivers can enjoy their journey without range anxiety.
Developed as an extension of Destination NSW’s Feel New brand, Recharge Here supports the sustainable growth of regional visitor economies.
The nine EV-friendly road trips are:
- Central Coast and Hunter Valley – a U-shaped 257km trip from Newcastle to Maitland
- Grand Pacific Drive – a 200km journey along the coastline from Sydney to Jervis Bay
- Greater Blue Mountains Drive – a 283km round trip from Sydney to the Blue Mountains
- Southern Highlands to the South Coast – a 210km journey through the highlands and coast
- Kosciuszko Alpine Way – a 171km drive through the Snowy Mountains
- Southern Tablelands – a 100km trip taking in Goulburn and surrounds
- Classic Country – a 422km drive through the Southern and Riverina Murray tourism regions
- Legendary Pacific Coast – an 819km, multi-day journey along the Pacific Highway
- Sydney to Melbourne Coastal Drive – a 406km trip through Australia’s southeastern corner.
Tourism Research Australia data shows NSW is the number one destination in Australia for domestic road-tripping visitors, nights and expenditure.
ILLUMINATE YOUR BUSINESS DURING
VIVID SYDNEY 2025
Vivid Sydney is set to captivate locals and visitors from around the world from 23 May to 14 June 2025 and local businesses are encouraged to be a part of the Southern Hemisphere’s leading multi-artform festival.
The Vivid Sydney Local Business Program is an opportunity to join the festival’s vibrant community and tap into the increased visitation presented by Australia’s largest festival.
Participating businesses can showcase products, services and experiences via channels including the Vivid Sydney website, illuminate building facades and harbour vessels or enhance their shopfronts with Vivid Sydney assets. Learn more about the program here.
WEBINAR: VIVID SYDNEY LOCAL BUSINESS PROGRAM
Destination NSW's capability-building NSW First program has produced a webinar, 'Vivid Sydney 2025 Local Business Opportunities', to help operators gain a better understanding of the Vivid Sydney Local Business Program.
Watch the on-demand webinar here.
RECORD-BREAKING ABORIGINAL TOURISM
RESULTS FOR NSW
Tourism Research Australia data shows NSW is the number one destination in Australia for Aboriginal tourism.
In the year ending September 2024, a record 814,300 international and domestic overnight visitors participated in an Aboriginal tourism experience. These visitors stayed 20.7 million nights and contributed $3.1 billion in expenditure across their whole trip.
ABORIGINAL EXPERIENCE DEVELOPMENT
PATHWAYS PROGRAM
Destination NSW has launched an initiative to support Aboriginal tourism businesses in more than 50 local government areas throughout NSW.
The 2025 Aboriginal Experience Development Pathway will be delivered in partnership with the NSW Aboriginal Tourism Operators Council (NATOC).
It aims to build relationships, connect on Country and provide aspiring operators with a greater understanding of the visitor economy and access to services to further develop their visitor experiences.
The Pathway will provide 30 Aboriginal tourism businesses with online and one-on-one training sessions, the opportunity to take part in media familiarisation programs, a business development workshop and networking.
Pictured: Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours.
WORKSHOPS: EXPERIENCE DEVELOPMENT
Destination NSW will present a series of Experience Development workshops during 2025 aimed at upskilling visitor economy businesses across the state. Held in eight locations in Sydney and regional NSW, the free, full-day workshops will be delivered under Destination NSW’s capability-focused NSW First Program. The workshops are designed for businesses including tour, attraction and accommodation providers looking to create new visitor experiences or refine existing ones.
GREAT SOUTHERN NIGHTS LAUNCHES MUSIC TRAILS
Newcastle will join Sydney's Hollywood Quarter in hosting an outdoor music trail during Great Southern Nights. The Newcastle trail will activate on 29 March and feature buskers, comedians, fire dancers, magicians, art installations and food and drinks. Great Southern Nights is delivered by Destination NSW in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association. The trails are also supported by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner’s Uptown District Acceleration Program.
AUSTRALIA'S BUSIEST DOMESTIC ROUTES
ACCC's Domestic Airline Competition report reveals Sydney landed the two busiest domestic routes in Australia in December 2024. The highest passenger levels were recorded on the Melbourne- Sydney route at 619,379 (up 3.5 per cent year on year), representing 12.4 per cent of all domestic passengers. The second highest passenger levels were recorded on the Brisbane-Sydney route at 368,574 (up 1.4 per cent year on year). Domestic airlines carried five million passengers in December 2024.
ACCC SEEKS FEEDBACK ON VIRGIN-QATAR ALLIANCE
The ACCC is proposing to grant authorisation to Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways to allow them to engage in cooperative conduct under an integrated alliance for five years. Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways are seeking to commence 28 new weekly return services between Doha and Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne. The ACCC said the arrangement is likely to result in public benefits and is unlikely to result in any public detriment. The ACCC is seeking feedback on the draft determination.
CENTRAL BARANGAROO GETS TICK OF APPROVAL
Planning approval for the development of Central Barangaroo has been granted, enabling the transformation of the area into a cultural, residential, business and retail hub. The precinct will include restaurants and bars, a hotel, retail, residential and community facilities.
SYDNEY FISH MARKET ROOF COMPLETE
The new Sydney Fish Market has reached a major milestone with the completion of its roof canopy. The venue will celebrate the city's reputation as a global seafood destination, attracting visitors and locals with a mix of retail, dining and community spaces.
NSW HOSTEL GROUP WINS MAJOR AWARDS
Wake Up! Hostels has taken out seven awards at the 2025 HOSCARs. The hostel-specific travel awards are based on reviews from seven million bookings. Wins included Best Hostel Chain in Oceania, Best Hostel in Oceania, Best Hostel in Australia and Best Extra-Large Hostel in Oceania (Wake Up! Sydney), Best Social Hostel in Oceania (Wake Up! Bondi Beach), Most Popular Hostel In Sydney (Wake Up! Bondi Beach) and Best Large Hostel in Oceania (Wake Up! Byron Bay).
2025 SUPERCARS SEASON LAUNCH
Supercars has launched the 2025 Repco Supercars Championship on Sydney Harbour Bridge, with seven vehicles making their way from Macquarie Street to Olympic Drive in the city's north. The opening event of this year's program, the Thrifty Sydney 500, will take place at Sydney Motorsport Park from 21-23 February 2025. Ahead of the event, the Destination NSW 2025 Sydney Test Day was held on 19 February, giving fans an exclusive preview of the teams and drivers preparing for the season.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
SUBSCRIBE TO OFFICE OF THE 24-HOUR ECONOMY NEWSLETTER: The Office of the 24-Hour Economy’s The Neon Grid newsletter provides information on the insights, initiatives and funding opportunities shaping the state’s 24-hour economy and how they can benefit businesses and regions. Learn more
PERUVIAN FESTIVAL FOR THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM: The museum will host a Fiesta de Peru event on 22-23 February 2025, celebrating the heritage of the Andes. The Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru exhibition has also been extended until 11 May 2025. Learn more
DISASTER SUPPORT FOR HILLTOPS AFTER SEVERE STORM: The Australian and NSW Governments are activating disaster recovery support for communities in the Hilltops Local Government Area following a severe storm on 10 February 2025. Learn more
TAFE NSW COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SURVEY: Visitor economy stakeholders have been invited to take part in a survey on training, support services and facilities at their local campuses. 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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