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The tourism landscape in New South Wales (NSW) is on the cusp of a significant transformation, with the impending opening of Western Sydney International Airport and the expansion of Newcastle Airport. These developments will unlock unprecedented access to regional destinations, driving an influx of international travellers and amplifying opportunities for the state’s visitor economy businesses.

Recognizing the vast potential ahead, Destination NSW is actively preparing local tourism operators to capitalize on this surge in demand. The recent Destination NSW New Product Workshop provided a strategic platform for 23 visitor economy businesses, predominantly from regional NSW, to engage directly with key travel distributors, including inbound tour operators, domestic wholesalers, and online travel agents.

A New Era for Regional Tourism

Expanding air access into NSW will open up many travel opportunities, particularly for the Central West, Murray, Hunter, Southern Highlands, and North Coast regions. Brimming with unique accommodations, nature escapes, and cultural experiences, these areas stand to gain significantly from increased international visitation.

Held at the Western Sydney Conference Centre in Penrith, the workshop showcased an impressive portfolio of export-ready tourism experiences, including:

14 distinctive stays and experiences within 2.5 hours of Sydney
9 premium regional accommodation options, perfect for road trips
9 visitor attractions near NSW cruise ports
Byron Bay’s first Aboriginal-owned and operated export-ready experience

Building a World-Class Visitor Economy

Karen Jones, Acting Chief Executive of Destination NSW, underscored the importance of equipping local businesses with the tools necessary to thrive in the evolving tourism landscape.

“The Destination NSW New Product Workshop equips visitor economy businesses with the tools and connections to succeed in international markets. With new gateways opening in Western Sydney and Newcastle, NSW is primed to welcome more global visitors, and this initiative ensures we have world-class, export-ready experiences to meet that demand. By connecting emerging tourism products with key travel distributors, we’re strengthening NSW’s position as Australia’s premier destination for unique stays, immersive experiences, and world-class food, wine, and culture.”

Real-World Success: A Tourism Business Perspective

The expanded airport access represents a game-changing opportunity for businesses like Wilga Station, a 260-acre working sheep farm near Bathurst.

Hamish Keith, owner of Wilga Station, shared his experience:

“We started this venture of becoming international-ready due to the future opening of the Western Sydney International Airport and the opportunities it presents. We highly recommend the team at Destination NSW who supported us through every step of the process, helping us to refine our product. We made great connections on the day and look forward to converting those leads into bookings and promoting the Central West as a destination of choice.”

A Strategic Approach to Tourism Development

Destination NSW provided tailored support through its NSW First capability-building program to ensure businesses were well-prepared for the workshop. This initiative offers a suite of distribution development tools, including:

Inbound strategy training
Seller workshops
One-on-one business advisory assistance

This structured approach ensures that NSW’s tourism operators know global market trends and are positioned to maximize their growth potential.

Strengthening NSW’s Global Appeal

The Destination NSW New Product Workshop is part of an ongoing effort to fortify the state’s tourism sector by fostering stronger connections between operators and international travel distributors. As the Western Sydney International Airport and Newcastle Airport expansion are near completion, the state is preparing for a surge in global visitors seeking authentic, high-quality Australian experiences.

With these strategic advancements, NSW is expanding its airports and its global influence in the tourism industry.