Insights - 31 July 2026
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NSW LEADS THE NATION FOR TOURISM SPENDING
Tourism Research Australia's annual State Tourism Satellite Account has confirmed NSW has the highest share of tourism consumption in the nation.
Tourism consumption is the total amount of money spent on goods and services by or for visitors during a travel trip, including direct purchases, gifts, and estimated values for free or non-market services used while travelling.
Visitors to NSW consumed $65.9 billion of tourism-related goods and services during the 2024-25 financial year, an increase of 5.1 per cent on FY23-24 and 37.2 per cent on FY18-19.
The latest accounts also include data on tourism consumption in 13 NSW regions.
Learn more here.
RECORD EV SALES UNLOCK NEW REGIONAL
TOURISM OPPORTUNITY
The NSW Government and the Electric Vehicle Council have launched EV Friendly Towns — a new statewide awards program designed to recognise and celebrate regional and local communities that are preparing for Australia's growing electric vehicle market.
The initiative follows new data showing that battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles accounted for a record 36 per cent of all passenger car sales in Australia in June 2026.
Applications to join EV Friendly Towns are now open to local government areas across NSW, with awards presented later this year to recognise the work of communities.
HUNTER TOURISM EVENT STRENGTHENS
REGIONAL COLLABORATION
More than 200 visitor economy professionals from across the Hunter and surrounding regions gathered at Bannisters Port Stephens on 24 July 2026 for the Hunter Tourism Industry Event.
Hosted by Destination Port Stephens in partnership with regional tourism organisations, the event brought together accommodation providers, tour operators, attractions, local government representatives and visitor economy stakeholders to connect, share ideas and explore future opportunities for regional tourism.
Pictured: Experience Co. CEO John O’Sullivan, Salter Brothers Hospitality CEO Tash Tobias, Mayor of Port Stephens Leah Anderson, Destination Port Stephens CEO Jo Thomas, CoastXP owner and Newcastle Tourism Industry Group Chair Dominic May, Newcastle Airport Senior Airlines and Partnership Manager and Destination Port Stephens Chair Matthew Borger.
DRIVE BUSINESS EVENT GROWTH AT AIME 2027
The 2026 SAP Concur Global Business Travel Survey indicates a positive outlook for the business events sector.
According to the survey, 88 per cent of CFOs are expecting their travel budgets to increase this year and 80 per cent view business travel as important to organisational growth.
Showcase your business to a highly engaged audience of domestic and international buyers at the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) from 15–17 February 2027.
Expressions of interest are open to co-exhibit with Destination NSW at the Asia Pacific region’s leading annual trade event for the business events industry. EOIs close on 10 August 2026.
EXPLORE NSW 2026 REGISTRATIONS OPEN
Registrations are open for Explore NSW & ACT 2026, delivered by ATEC in partnership with Destination NSW. Taking place in Sydney on 25–26 August 2026, the event will connect NSW visitor economy businesses with distribution partners through pre-scheduled business appointments, networking and industry insights.
SUPPORT TO ATTEND EXPLORE NSW 2026
Destination NSW is offering access to ATEC 2026 New Product Pathway Packages as part of Explore NSW & ACT. The ATEC 2026 New Product Pathway Package will enable businesses that are new to ATEC to participate in the Explore NSW event for the first time, helping them develop and strengthen relationships with key distributors.
AUSTRALIAN NATIVE FOOD FESTIVAL RETURNS
The Australian Native Food Festival will return to Sydney's Carriageworks from 26-27 September 2026. Presented by Indigiearth and proudly supported by Destination NSW, the event will feature Indigenous chefs and celebrate native ingredients, culture and connection.
NEWCASTLE SEEKS NEW VIBRANCY STRATEGY
City of Newcastle's Night-Time Economy 2026 Report shows the local sector recorded turnover of $2.3 billion in 2025 and supported 13,600 jobs across 1027 businesses. Proposals are being invited to support the development of the city's new five-year Vibrancy Strategy.
FIRST BLUE PLAQUE TRAIL UNVEILED
Australia’s first Blue Plaque Trail has been unveiled to commemorate the 1965 Freedom Ride, a landmark civil rights journey through NSW that played an instrumental role in raising awareness of racial injustice and building momentum for reconciliation action in Australia. Six Blue Plaques mark significant locations along the original route.
CRUISE TERMINAL UPGRADE FOR SYDNEY
The next stage of Port Authority of NSW’s $25 million Berthing Infrastructure Project will crane around 1200 rock bags onto the seabed at Sydney’s Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) to stabilise the berth area and protect against erosion. Australia’s most popular cruise terminal welcomed more than half a million cruise passengers in the 2025-26 financial year.
NEW NATIONAL PARK FOR WESTERN SYDNEY
The NSW Government is establishing Gulguer National Park, near Bringelly in Western Sydney, for walkers, mountain bikers and nature lovers. Recreation, conservation and Aboriginal heritage will come together at the new 1100-hectare destination.
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS ART FAIR BREAKS RECORD
The 2026 National Indigenous Art Fair (NIAF) generated more than $1.2 million for exhibitors, a record for the event and $450,000 higher than the previous year. Proudly supported by Destination NSW, NIAF was held at The Cutaway at Barangaroo from 3–5 July 2026.
NORTH COAST TOURISM AWARDS WINNERS
NSW Tourism Association and Destination North Coast announced the winners of the 2026 North Coast Regional Tourism Awards at Pacific Bay Resort, Coffs Harbour, on 30 July. The ceremony was held during the 2026 North Coast Tourism Symposium.
GEN Z RESHAPES LUXURY TRAVEL
New research by Marriott International has revealed four luxury mindsets among Gen Z travellers in the Asia-Pacific region (excluding China), ranging from cultural immersion and personal wellbeing to digital disconnection and heritage-driven exploration.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
FUNDING FOR LIVE MUSIC EVENTS: Grant submissions open on 3 August 2026 for the Australian Government's Revive Live program, supporting events that commence on or after 1 December 2026. Learn more
FREIGHT OPERATIONS COMMENCE AT WESTERN SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: Inaugural commercial freight flights took off from the 24-hour Cargo Precinct on 27 July 2026. Learn more
'KIDFLUENCE' DRIVES TRAVEL DECISIONS: Tripadvisor's Meet the Kidfluencer report found 80 per cent of children are influencing where families go on holidays, with 42 per cent being the main influence. Learn more
INTERNATIONAL DESIGN COMPETITION OPENS FOR SYDNEY'S BAYS WEST: The NSW Government has invited designers, architects, planners and thought leaders from around the world to put forward bold ideas for the future of the waterfront precinct. Learn more
STRONGEST RESCUE CAPABILITY IN HISTORY HITS THE WATER: Dozens of new rescue jet skis will soon be patrolling the NSW coastline, following the NSW Government’s record $23 million investment in water safety. 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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