RECORD DAY TRIPPER SPENDING
IN NSW
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New Tourism Research Australia data shows day trippers spent a record $16.2 billion in NSW in the year to June 2026. Day-trip expenditure surged by 34 per cent year-on-year, while day-trip visitors rose 7.3 per cent to 87.2 million. NSW was also number one nationally for domestic visitors, nights and expenditure, with 126.4 million domestic visitors travelling to the state during the period, including 64 million visitors to regional NSW. |
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BLOCKBUSTER OCTOBER EVENTS CALENDAR
FOR NSW
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Destination NSW is supporting a blockbuster line-up of major events during October, expected to inject more than $100 million into the state’s visitor economy.
The bumper calendar coincides with the spring school holidays and the October long weekend, creating a win-win for visitors and the NSW tourism industry. Action will kick off with the NRL and NRLW Grand Finals at Accor Stadium on Sunday, with more than 80,000 supporters expected in the precinct.
Learn more here. |
RECORD-BREAKING YEAR FOR SYDNEY
OLYMPIC PARK
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Sydney Olympic Park welcomed 12.3 million visitors in the 2025-26 financial year, the highest attendance in history, including during the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Sporting visitation surged by 310,000 people (up 18 per cent), driven by huge crowds for the AFC Women's Asian Cup and a bumper NRL season.
Parklands visitation also climbed, with an additional 60,000 visitors enjoying Sydney Olympic Park's green spaces, wetlands, playgrounds and walking trails. |
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SAVE THE DATE: NSW VISITOR ECONOMY
FORUM 2026
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Registrations will open soon for the NSW Visitor Economy Forum 2026, taking place on Monday, 9 November at ICC Sydney.
Under the theme Unlocking Growth NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035: From Strategy to Delivery, the Forum's program will feature new research, industry perspectives and discussions on the trends reshaping travel, tourism and events. |
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MEN'S RUGBY WORLD CUP MILESTONE |
The one-year countdown to the Men’s Rugby World Cup has kicked off, with more than half of available tickets already sold. Around 250,000 international fans are expected to travel to the tournament, which is proudly supported by Destination NSW. Stadium Australia will host the final on 13 November 2027. |
| | TOURISM RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR |
The 2026 Hostplus Awards for Excellence were held on 28 September, celebrating outstanding restaurants, cafes and caterers across NSW. Destination NSW was proud to sponsor the Tourism Restaurant of the Year category, which was won by Luna Lu (Metropolitan) and Potager – A Kitchen Garden (regional NSW). |
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NEW CULTURAL EVENT FUNDING |
Create NSW has launched a new funding initiative, the Creative NSW Collaboration Fund, designed to support current festival programs and cultural institutions to expand and incorporate new arts, entertainment or hospitality offerings. |
| | SYDNEY WINS WORLD TRAVEL AWARD |
Sydney has been named Oceania's Leading City Destination at the World Travel Awards Asia & Oceania. The city's hotels also won awards, including Oceania's Leading Hotel (Park Hyatt Sydney) and Oceania's Leading Business Hotel (Hyatt Regency Sydney). |
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TRAVEL & TOURISM DEVELOPMENT INDEX |
Australia has risen to fourth place on the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index (TTDI) 2026. The TTDI measures factors and policies that enable sustainable and resilient tourism development. It provides a benchmark for governments, tourism organisations and businesses. |
| | AUSTRALIA'S BEST WINE LISTS |
NSW won 16 major awards at the 2026 Australia's Wine List of the Year Awards. Shangri-La Sydney's Altitude Restaurant led the trophy tally for the state with Australia’s Best Listing of NSW Wines, Australia’s Best Listing of Organic and Biodynamic Wines, and Australia’s Best Hotel/Resort Dining Wine List. |
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New Stayz data shows more than 50 per cent of holiday houses in popular coastal destinations such as Shoalhaven and Byron Bay are already booked for summer. |
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Throughout October, NSW Small Business Month will be celebrated with a statewide program of free and low-cost events, workshops, and networking opportunities. |
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CRUISE MONTH RETURNS: Cruise Lines International Association Australasia is celebrating Cruise Month throughout October. The global initiative has a focus on generating cruise sector growth. Learn more
AUSTRALIAN TOURISM DATA WAREHOUSE MASTERCLASS: Destination NSW will host a free webinar on 11 November 2026 to help businesses market their products online. Learn more
ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM WEBINARS: Destination NSW will host two free webinars to help businesses be more accessible and inclusive. Learn more
LICENSING OPTIONS FOR NSW LIQUOR PRODUCERS: Liquor & Gaming NSW will host a webinar on 15 October 2026, which will include a presentation from Destination NSW on business support. Learn more
GLOBAL SPEECH SPECIALISTS GATHER AT ICC SYDNEY: Interspeech 2026 was attended by more than 1200 delegates from 27 September to 1 October. The conference was secured by Business Events Sydney and the Tourism Australia Bid Fund program. Learn more
SYDNEY AIRPORT NAMED OFFICIAL PARTNER OF RUGBY LEAGUE WORLD CUP 2026: Thousands of players, officials and fans will travel through Sydney Airport during the tournament. Learn more |
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