Destination NSW

The TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS will celebrate its first year as an Abbott World Marathon Major, with legendary marathoner Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya set to join runners from across the nation and around the world at the start line.    Widely regarded as the greatest marathon runner in history, it is the first time that the two-time Olympic champion will be competing on Australian soil. Eliud Kipchoge is the only man in history to run a marathon in under two hours and he also has 11 Abbott World Marathon Majors titles to his name.  Kipchoge’s decision to race in Sydney marks a defining moment for the TCS Sydney Marathon, elevating the event on the world stage as one of the most prestigious races in global marathon running. The 2025 TCS Sydney Marathon will take place on Sunday, 31 August, and is set to again make history as the nation’s largest marathon, with a record-breaking 35,000 participants registered to take part. The TCS Sydney Marathon is supported proudly by Destination NSW. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gqrbeDXs #feelnew #feelnsw #visitoreconomy #destinationnsw #feelnewsydney

A new $16m fund has been announced that will incentivise airlines to fly new routes into Western Sydney International Airport ahead of its opening in late 2026.   The Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund will combine $8 million from the NSW Government and $8 million from Western Sydney International Airport to boost airline capacity. It is projected to bring over 162,000 international visitors to experience NSW and generate an estimated $530 million of visitor expenditure with airline tickets scheduled to go on sale from late 2025.   The new fund comes at a critical stage for the state’s newest international gateway, encouraging more carriers to join Qantas, Jetstar and Singapore Airlines as the airport works to accelerate passenger numbers to 10 million per year.    Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gpr-fvZJ   #destinationnsw #feelnsw #feelsydney #westernsydney #aviation

The Vivid Sydney 2025 program launched today! For 23 unforgettable nights from 23 May to 14 June 2025, Vivid Sydney will ignite the Harbour City with Light, Music, Ideas, and Food, all inspired by this year’s theme: Vivid Sydney, Dream. Prepare to be captivated by genre-defying music performances, thought-provoking ideas that spark conversation and a delectable food scene that tantalises every taste bud. With more than 75 per cent of the program free, there’s something for every age, taste, and budget. For the first time, the Vivid Light Walk will shine across five distinct zones ·      Circular Quay & The Rocks ·      Barangaroo ·      Darling Harbour ·      The Goods Line and Inner City ·      Martin Place and CBD Among the many highlights of the 100 per cent free Vivid Light Walk is a tribute to the late David McDiarmid, whose work Kiss of Light (2025) will be showcased on the Sydney Opera House for Lighting of the Sails. Plus, the team behind world-acclaimed Sydney fashion label, Romance Was Born, will debut House of Romance with a spectacular projection on Customs House. Vivid Sydney is the Southern Hemisphere’s leading multi-artform festival, which showcases NSW’s cultural vibrancy and artistic innovation on a global stage. Vivid Sydney is proudly owned and managed by Destination NSW. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gQEi8E7B

Applications opened yesterday for the 2025/26 Regional Event Fund, with grants of up to $50,000 available.   Event owners can apply for grants to help stage events in regional NSW that enrich the state’s diverse calendar of event experiences, drive increased overnight visitation and boost local economies.    Managed by Destination NSW, the fund provides support to regional events via three streams: the Incubator Event stream, Flagship Event stream and Event Development stream.   Since its inception in 1996, the Regional Event Fund has supported more than 530 events with over $14 million in funding, helping events like the Deni Ute Muster and the Parkes Elvis Festival grow from small community events into signature regional events.    Learn more about the program here: https://lnkd.in/gvGSQc3k   #regionalevents #eventfunding #regionalnsw #destinationnsw #visitoreconomy #feelnsw

This International Women’s Day, Destination NSW celebrates the talented, driven, and inspiring women shaping the future of the visitor economy—here in NSW and around the world. Women make up more than half of Australia’s visitor economy workforce, contributing their expertise, leadership, and vision to an industry that thrives on innovation and connection. At a panel discussion hosted by the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Destination NSW Acting CEO Karen Jones reflected on this year’s theme, #MarchForward, encouraging women to step into their power and drive meaningful change. #internationalwomensday #visitoreconomy #destinationnsw #feelnew

The latest edition of the Destination NSW Insights newsletter is out now, featuring the New Product Workshop in Western Sydney, record occupancy for NSW holiday parks, information on assistance during Tropical Cyclone Alfred, a full recovery for the Sydney hotel sector, a new guide to boost incentives revenue and much more. Read the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/gnx8En2m Subscribe to our newsletters here: https://lnkd.in/g2PJkTGS #feelnew #feelnsw #visitoreconomy #destinationnsw #feelnewsydney

The opening of Western Sydney International Airport and the expansion of Newcastle Airport Pty Limited will transform access to NSW, creating new opportunities for visitor economy businesses to attract international travellers.    Destination NSW is equipping these businesses to capitalise on the increased demand through its annual New Product Workshop. Held this week at Western Sydney Conference Centre, the workshop brought together 23 visitor economy businesses – largely from regional NSW – giving them direct access to travel buyers including inbound tour operators, domestic wholesalers and online travel agents.   To help prepare businesses for the workshop, Destination NSW provided distribution development support through its NSW First capability-building program, including inbound strategy and seller training workshops, as well as one-to-one business advisory assistance.    Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/g3UDNRU9   #visitoreconomy #feelnew #feelnsw #destinationnsw

Visitor economy businesses, communities and visitors in Northern NSW have been warned to prepare for Tropical Cyclone Alfred.   Stay safe and keep informed by downloading the Hazards Near Me App here: https://lnkd.in/gUtMDK5d   Or visit the NSW SES website here: https://lnkd.in/g7G-QkN

Destination NSW has partnered with the Caravan & Camping Industry Association NSW on a new ‘Feel More, Live More’ marketing program to boost year-round visitation to the state’s 400 holiday parks.    The initiative follows NSW holiday parks celebrating a record average occupancy rate of 81 per cent during the New Year week commencing 30 December 2024, the highest rate for the period in four years.    The campaign will feature on TV and social media in NSW and extend into regional Victoria, the ACT and Southern Queensland.   Developed as an extension of Destination NSW’s Feel New brand, ‘Feel More, Live More’ supports the sustainable growth of regional visitor economies.   Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gvkVNkFc   #feelnew #feelnsw #visitoreconomy #destinationnsw #CCIA #CaravanIndustry

The latest edition of the Destination NSW Insights newsletter is out now, featuring Port Stephens' win as Wotif.com Aussie Town of the Year, a Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade preview, surging Sydney hotel occupancy, a record week for cruising in Eden, the launch of Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue’s Food Lovers’ Guide to Greater Western Sydney and much more. Read the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/gJqdUDpb Subscribe to our newsletters here: https://lnkd.in/g2PJkTGS #feelnew #feelnsw #visitoreconomy #destinationnsw #feelnewsydney