Insights - 21 November 2025
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TOURISM INDUSTRY UNITES AT NSW
VISITOR ECONOMY FORUM
The NSW Government’s bold new roadmap for visitor economy growth was brought to life this week at the NSW Visitor Economy Forum 2025.
Featuring the theme 'NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035 – Vision to Action', the pivotal day of insight, collaboration and action was attended by more than 450 industry leaders, government partners and innovators.
The event was hosted by award-winning STEM journalist and ABC Radio presenter Rae Johnston at ICC Sydney. It provided an opportunity for the Destination NSW leadership team and industry experts to share insights on the five pillars supporting the Strategy.
View video highlights from the event here.
Visit our Visitor Economy Forum Digital Hub to learn more about how the Strategy's bold roadmap will make it easier for people to visit the state, elevate the NSW and Sydney brands, drive growth through events, deliver immersive visitor experiences and leverage data and insights.
NSW TAKE-OFF FUND OPENS
Airports across NSW have been invited to apply for grants under the NSW Take Off Fund – a $12.5 million program designed to attract new airline services and boost aviation capacity across the state.
Announced in July 2025, the fund supports delivery of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, which targets $91 billion in visitor expenditure by 2035. Achieving this goal will require an additional 8.5 million airline seats.
The fund will provide financial and marketing support to airlines that commit to launching new or additional services into NSW. Airlines must operate at least three weekly services commencing before 30 June 2027, serving one of NSW’s priority markets.
'HOWZAT FOR A HOLIDAY?' ASHES PITCH TO
UK TRAVELLERS
UK travellers will be invited to Come and Say G’day throughout the upcoming Ashes series, with a campaign launching this week featuring Australian Test cricket captain Pat Cummins and Ruby the Kangaroo.
The 'Howzat for a holiday?' creative will run on TV screens and online during the Ashes series.
Sydney's Palm Beach plays a starring role in the campaign, ahead of the New Year's Test at Sydney Cricket Ground, proudly supported by Destination NSW.
EV CHARGER BOOST FOR REGIONAL NSW
The NSW Government has provided a $5.9 million boost to electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. EV drivers will soon have 159 new chargers in 48 regional locations. They will be installed along road trip routes and key tourism destinations, from Bourke to the Murray and the Tweed to Tumut.
PENRTH 24-HOUR ECONOMY STRATEGY
Penrith City Council has endorsed its Penrith and St Marys 24-Hour Economy Strategy 2025-2029, which aims to foster a thriving local economy that operates beyond daytime business hours. The strategy has six priorities to help make the city's centres vibrant, safe and connected at night.
NSW’S BEST CARAVAN AND CAMPING EXPERIENCES
The Caravan and Camping Industry Association (CCIA) NSW has announced the winners of the 2025 Awards of Excellence. They include Tweed Holiday Parks Pottsville South, Tasman Holiday Parks, Racecourse Beach, Reflections Forster Beach Holiday & Caravan Park and Tweed Holiday Parks Fingal Head. The event was proudly supported by Destination NSW.
REFLECTIONS HOLIDAYS DELIVERS $135M TO NSW
Reflections Holidays has released its Annual Report, which shows it generated $135 million in economic benefit for regional NSW in FY25 (up 7.1 per cent year-on-year). Reflections is the largest holiday park group in NSW and a Crown land manager. It reinvests its profits back into the 40 holiday parks it manages and the 47 community reserves it cares for in coastal and country NSW.
100 DAYS TO 2026 AFC WOMEN'S ASIAN CUP
The Asian Football Confederation marked 100 days to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 with an event in Sydney’s Martin Place on Friday, ahead of what is expected to be a record-breaking tournament. The celebration unveiled the official match ball and featured Matildas players from the original 1975 team.
NSW VISITORS EMBRACE SLOW TRAVEL TREND
Wotif research shows Australians will trade hustle for harmony in 2026, with half (50 per cent) planning to swap the stress of over-planned holidays for peaceful escapes in smaller towns. Its 'Slow Down Towns' top five list for 2026 includes two NSW destinations: Huskisson and Mollymook.
BEST 'DESTINATION DUPES' IN NSW
Sitchu has released a guide to NSW destinations that feel a world away without requiring a passport. Among the 'destination dupes' are holidaying in Narooma instead of Bora Bora, Mungo National Park instead of Nevada, Lord Howe Island instead of Hawaii and the Hunter Valley instead of the Napa Valley.
UNITED CUP ANNOUNCES MATCH UPS
Destination NSW CEO Karen Jones joined tennis icons Wally Masur and Jelena Dokic this week to announce the match ups for the fourth edition of the United Cup. At the official draw, 18 countries were placed into six groups of three. Sydney will host matches from 3 to 11 January 2026 at Ken Rosewall Arena.
VISITOR ECONOMY WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS
GLOBAL WELLNESS ECONOMY HITS RECORD $6.8 TRILLION: The Global Wellness Economy Monitor 2025 shows wellness tourism grew 13.8 per cent from 2023 to 2024. Learn more
ARIAS ANNOUNCE BEST AUSTRALIAN LIVE ACT FOR 2025: The award was presented by Destination NSW and won by Troye Sivan. Learn more
MORE L1 SERVICES FOR SYDNEY FISH MARKET: Visitors to the new Sydney Fish Market will enjoy increased light-rail services in the evenings, on weekends and public holidays as 150 extra weekly trips are added to the timetable. Learn more
$3 MILLION BOOST FOR MULTICULTURAL FESTIVALS: The NSW Government has announced a new round of its Stronger Together Local Council Major Festival Grants program to help councils deliver large-scale multicultural festivals. Learn more
BACKING BUSKERS IN SYDNEY'S HARBOUR PRECINCTS: The NSW Government is increasing busking locations across The Rocks, Darling Harbour and Barangaroo by nearly two thirds. Learn more
ARTHUR BOYD WORKS RETURN TO BUNDANON: Eleven works will be loaned to Bundanon Art Museum thanks to the Australian Government’s Sharing the National Collection program. 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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