Careers advisers from schools across Sydney came together this month to learn about opportunities for students in the NSW visitor industry.

The 'Launch your Career in the Visitor Economy' event – jointly organised by the Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) program, TAFE NSW and Destination NSW and hosted by Business Sydney – gave teachers the opportunity to learn more about career pathways in tourism, events, hospitality, retail and arts. 

Advisers heard from industry experts from Destination NSW, Business Sydney, BridgeClimb, Sydney Opera House, Merlin Entertainments and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Regional Industry Education Partnerships Officer Lee Johnston said: “This special event for careers advisers provided a comprehensive and engaging overview of the visitor economy, highlighting the exciting opportunities emerging for young people across NSW.

“Hearing directly from Destination NSW about the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035 and the projected workforce demand made it clear that this sector offers significant career pathways for high school students.

“The visitor economy in NSW is poised for considerable growth, for example with the imminent opening of the new Western Sydney International Airport, making it critical for Careers Advisers to deepen understanding and support students in exploring this vibrant sector.”

Destination NSW Executive Director Industry Support and Partnerships Stephen Mahoney said: "The visitor economy is one of NSW’s fastest-growing sectors, creating thousands of jobs and exciting career pathways across tourism, hospitality and events. 

"Opportunities in the visitor economy have never been brighter statewide, offering young people the chance to build rewarding careers in a sector that shapes how the world experiences our state.

"Today’s event is about sharing that story with careers advisers, so they can inspire the next generation to explore these opportunities. By connecting industry insights with education, we’re helping ensure NSW has the workforce it needs to deliver world-class visitor experiences.

"Through the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, we’ve set an ambitious target to grow the sector’s workforce by 150,000 jobs – and that starts with building awareness and pathways for students today.”

View the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035 here.