Destination NSW

Destination NSW is proud to be bringing vibrancy to NSW during Great Southern Nights from 21 March to 6 April.   We have partnered with the ARIA - Australian Recording Industry Association to deliver more than 330 gigs across the state, with two outdoor music trails also joining the line-up in 2025.   Newcastle’s Midtown is set to come alive on Saturday night with a multi-venue live music trail featuring buskers, comedians, fire dancers, magicians, live art installations and local food and drink experiences.   A second precinct activation will take place in Sydney’s Hollywood Quarter in Surry Hills on 5 April, transforming it into a vibrant music hub in the heart of the Harbour City.   The gig trails are also supported by the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner’s Uptown District Acceleration Program.   Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gTw9BzJd   #visitoreconomy #destinationnsw #feelnew #feelnsw

Destination NSW has leveraged surging visitation from one of the world’s biggest tourism markets with its 2025 North America Roadshow. Nineteen NSW visitor economy operators took part in the roadshow, which included full-day workshops and networking events in Los Angeles and New York City. The initiative provided an opportunity engage directly with influential wholesalers, product managers and retail travel advisors from the United States and Canada. New Tourism Research Australia data shows the United States was NSW’s second largest market for visitors and third largest market for expenditure in the year ending December 2024. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gj35kHN9 #feelnew #feelnsw #feelnewsydney #visitoreconomy #destinationnsw

Vivid Sydney: A transformational chapter comes to a close and a new one begins. As the 2025 festival approaches, Destination NSW announces that Gill Minervini will complete her remarkable four-year tenure as Festival Director this August. Under Gill’s bold and imaginative leadership, Vivid Sydney has reached unprecedented heights – smashing attendance records, setting new benchmarks for visitor spending, and strengthening its global profile as a celebration of creativity, innovation and technology. This year’s festival, from 23 May to 14 June, promises another unforgettable program. Expect boundary-pushing ideas, spectacular installations, world-class performances and culinary experiences that light up the city – all anchored by the much-loved, 100 per cent free Vivid Light Walk. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Gill for her passion, creativity and dedication. Her legacy will be felt long after the final light fades. And now, the future calls. Destination NSW invites visionary creative leaders to imagine the next evolution of Vivid Sydney. The Request for Tender for Festival Director (2026–2028) is now open and closes at 5pm, Monday 28 April 2025. Step into the spotlight. Shape the future of Vivid Sydney. Learn more about the opportunity here: https://lnkd.in/gDyKAfAn #destinationnsw #vividsydney #feelnew #feelnsw #feelnewsydney

Records have tumbled in NSW, with the state recording its highest-ever visitor expenditure.   Domestic and international travellers spent $53.2 billion across the state—up 3.6 per cent year on year—according to new data from Tourism Research Australia for the year ending December 2024.   NSW and Sydney were the nation’s leading destinations for both domestic and international visitors, visitor nights and total expenditure.   International visitation in NSW grew 11.1 per cent year-on-year to 3.8 million visitors, with expenditure totalling $12 billion up 10.7 per cent from the previous year. China returned to the top spot for the first time since the pandemic, followed by the United States and New Zealand.   The results mark a major milestone in the state’s post-pandemic tourism recovery, with domestic spending reaching a record of $41.2 billion, including $15.9 billion in Sydney alone.   A strong focus on authentic cultural and nature-based experiences has fuelled growth across key segments, including Aboriginal tourism and caravan and camping.   Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gX5_Dr5p   #destinationnsw #visitoreconomy #feelnsw #feelnew #feelnswsydney  

Spectacular footage of NSW visitor experiences will feature in a TV series to be broadcast in key tourism markets around the world. Captured as part of Tourism Australia’s National Experience Content Initiative, ‘Experience Australia’ aims to show the world the depth and breadth of visitor experiences on offer.   Narrated by actor Rachel Griffiths, the series will initially air on the Outdoor Channel, which is available in 58 countries in more than 96 million households across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.   Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/dtzbuXh4   View the trailer for ‘Experience Australia’ below.   #destinationnsw #visitoreconomy #ComeAndSayGday #SeeAustralia #WeAreTheAustralianTourismIndustry

Sydney will once again host the NRL and NRLW Grand Finals, with the NSW Government securing both matches for Accor Stadium in 2025.   The NRL’s biggest event will once again play out in its traditional home, where it has been a sporting mainstay every year since the birth of rugby league in Australia in 1908 (except for the 2021 season, due to COVID-19 restrictions).   Thousands of fans from across Australia and New Zealand are expected to flock to Sydney for the NRL Grand Final on 5 October 2025, with projected visitor expenditure of more than $26 million.   With the NRL reaching new markets in the US and Asia Pacific, securing the Grand Final strengthens Sydney’s international reputation as one of the world’s greatest cities for major sporting events. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g6nqxf-E   #feelnsw #feelnew #feelnewsydney #visitoreconomy #destinationnsw

Congratulations to all the NSW winners and nominees at the 2024 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.    Hosted by the Australian Tourism Industry Council, the awards showcase the outstanding achievements of businesses and individuals across the visitor economy, with 24 operators from Bathurst to Broken Hill, Wagga Wagga to Sydney, and Batemans Bay to Byron Bay among the nominees.    Among the NSW winners were Balloon Aloft (Double Gold) and Sierra Escape (Gold). Destination North Coast also triumphed, with operators in the region taking out five awards, including Gold for The Tweed Tourism Company.   The success of these NSW businesses reflects the outstanding passion, professionalism and commitment of our tourism industry. Their dedication to world-class customer service is what makes NSW a leading destination for visitors from around the world.    #destinationnsw #visitoreconomy #QATA24 #Celebrating40Years #AustralianTourismAwards

The latest edition of the Destination NSW Insights newsletter is out now, featuring a pop-up gig by The Cat Empire to launch Great Southern Nights 2025, Tourism Australia’s annual Destination Australia conference at International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), Airbnb research that reveals 88 per cent of Australians want to explore 'hidden gem' wine regions this year such as the Southern Highlands and Canberra District, how Lunar New Year turbocharged the Chinese visitor recovery and much more. Read the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/gXr-4WcS Subscribe to our newsletters here: https://lnkd.in/g2PJkTGS #feelnew #feelnsw #visitoreconomy #destinationnsw #feelnewsydney

Destination NSW extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Richard Beere, who passed away this week. As the inaugural Chair of Destination Southern NSW (DSNSW) NSW and former Executive General Manager International (East) at Tourism Australia (1998–2011), Richard made an enduring impact on Australia’s tourism industry. His leadership was instrumental in the development of Tourism Australia’s original China Development Plan, and he played a pivotal role in Australia becoming the first western destination to gain Approved Destination Status in China - an achievement that transformed Australia’s engagement with this key visitor market. Richard was equally dedicated to strengthening regional tourism. Through his role at Destination Southern NSW he championed the growth of the visitor economy in the region, working closely with industry and stakeholders to enhance tourism opportunities and drive sustainable economic benefits. In recognition of his contributions, Richard was honoured with the Outstanding Individual Contribution to the Industry Award by the Australian Tourism Export Council in 2011. Richard’s passion, expertise and dedication leave a lasting legacy. He will be greatly missed.

New Australian Bureau of Statistics data has revealed the significant impact that cultural events such as Lunar New Year have on the NSW visitor economy, with a notable surge in visitation from China in January 2025.   The Lunar New Year festival, which ran from 29 January to 12 February in 2025, is the world's busiest travel period and Sydney is home to one of the largest celebrations in the Asia Pacific.   China was the leading source country for visitors to NSW in January 2025 with 48,150 trips, up from 30,540 in January 2024. In December 2024 China was the fourth largest source of visitors to NSW, with 28,320 trips.   Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/g2DQTXZZ   #feelnew #feelnsw #visitoreconomy #destinationnsw #feelnewsydney