Newcastle Airport

Newcastle Airport at the Heart of NSW’s $91 Billion Tourism Vision

today8 October 2024

Background

Newcastle Airport is set to play a pivotal role in New South Wales’ ambitious plan to grow its tourism industry to $91 billion in annual expenditure by 2035. The Minns Government has unveiled a bold vision to supercharge the state’s visitor economy, promising significant economic benefits and a surge in job opportunities, particularly for regional communities like Newcastle.

The international terminal at Newcastle Airport, slated to open in 2025, is a key component of the state’s tourism growth strategy. The expansion will add millions of airline seats, making Newcastle a gateway for international visitors and a vital hub for the state’s tourism ambitions. The additional capacity is expected to help Newcastle attract more international routes, supporting local businesses and providing a boost to the regional economy.

The recently released review of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy highlights plans to expand tourism infrastructure across the state, with a focus on experience-led tourism. Regional NSW is expected to see $44 billion—nearly half of the total projected expenditure—flow into its communities, with Newcastle positioned to benefit greatly from the influx of international and domestic tourists. Up to 150,000 new jobs are expected to be created across NSW, providing a significant boost to local employment opportunities.

The forecasted growth will be supported by an increase in airline capacity, with 8.5 million additional seats projected due to upcoming airport expansions. Alongside Newcastle Airport’s international terminal, the Western Sydney International Airport will open in 2026, further enhancing access to the state. Additional routes at Sydney Airport, as well as increased capacity at Canberra and Gold Coast airports, will also contribute to boosting tourism in NSW.

Premier Chris Minns highlighted the state’s natural attractions, saying, “From pristine beaches to lush national parks, NSW is an unbeatable hotspot for tourists across the globe. We are ready to attract even more travellers to NSW, boosting local businesses and creating thousands of jobs.”

To accommodate the anticipated increase in visitors, the state will need an estimated 40,000 new hotel rooms—a 41% increase on current availability—as well as improvements in business event facilities. Skills shortages are another challenge, particularly in tourism-related fields such as chefs and tour guides.

Minister for Jobs and Tourism, John Graham, said, “This review dares us to dream big, but it also outlines the hard work needed to meet the opportunity. We need to build more hotel rooms, attract and train more workers, and create experiences that connect visitors with the culture, nature, and people of NSW.”

Key recommendations from the review include enhancing accommodation quality, celebrating First Nations culture through authentic tourism experiences, and focusing on leisure and business events to attract visitors year-round. The government has already allocated $1.5 million to boost business events in Sydney.

Sydney was recently named the “best city in the world” by Condé Nast Traveller UK’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards, which noted its unique mix of outdoor living and cultural vibrancy—factors that align well with the new focus on experience tourism.

The updated NSW Visitor Economy Strategy is expected to be released in the coming months, setting the course for the next decade of tourism-driven growth and solidifying the state’s status as Australia’s top visitor destination.

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Written by: Newy Staff


Newy 87.8 FM is an FM radio station established in 2014 targeting Classic Hits music enthusiasts across Newcastle and The Central Coast, Australia. The station plays 60s 70s and 80s music. The station can be streamed online via this website or smart phone apps such as Tunein. In 2024 we opened a local newsroom dedicated to publishing Newcastle News.

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