The NSW Visitor Economy Forum will return on 9 November 2026, joining with the NSW Tourism Awards for the first time to create a major new gathering for the state’s visitor economy at ICC Sydney.
Hosted by Destination NSW, the NSW Visitor Economy Forum 2026 will be free to attend and open to all visitor economy stakeholders from across industry and government. The event will bring together tourism operators, industry representatives and government colleagues to share insights, explore emerging trends and focus on the opportunities shaping the year ahead.
That evening, the NSW Tourism Awards, presented by the NSW Tourism Association, will recognise excellence, innovation and professionalism across the state’s tourism industry. The Awards have celebrated outstanding achievements, business excellence, innovation and professionalism in tourism for more than 40 years.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: “The NSW Government is working closely with the tourism industry to build a resilient, agile and sustainable visitor economy – one that delivers benefits across the entire state.
“Hosting the NSW Visitor Economy Forum and the NSW Tourism Awards in tandem at ICC Sydney will ensure more visitor economy stakeholders benefit from the insights and accolades the two events will bring.
“It will be the premier tourism industry gathering of the year and I encourage operators, experiences and destinations from our regional communities and vibrant cities to save the date.”
Destination NSW CEO Karen Jones said: “The NSW Visitor Economy Strategy has a bold target of growing visitor expenditure to $91 billion over the next decade.
“Aligning the NSW Visitor Economy Forum with the NSW Tourism Awards will create an enhanced opportunity for industry, government and partners to connect with each other and share ideas as we strive to achieve the Strategy’s goals.
“Destination NSW has proudly supported the NSW Tourism Awards for many years and it will be exciting to join with the NSW Tourism Association and hundreds of stakeholders at ICC Sydney for an insightful daytime program, followed by an evening celebrating tourism industry excellence.”
NSW Tourism Association CEO Natalie Godward said: “Bringing together two of the NSW tourism industry’s most important events into one coordinated experience creates a significant opportunity for our industry to connect, collaborate and celebrate in one place.
“By aligning the Destination NSW Visitor Economy Forum and the NSW Tourism Awards on the same day and in the same venue, we’re creating a stronger platform for industry engagement, networking and shared learning.
“It gives operators the opportunity to participate in a full day of thought leadership, networking and industry insight before coming together to recognise and celebrate excellence at the NSW Tourism Awards.”
“Most importantly, this partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting a strong, connected and future-focused visitor economy across NSW - which is more important now than ever as businesses continue to navigate change and evolving market conditions.”
Nominations for the 2026 NSW Tourism Awards close on 12 June. Learn more here.
Pictured main: NSW Tourism Association CEO Natalie Godward and Destination NSW CEO Karen Jones.
