Maitland to host major NSW tourism conference for local government

newy.com.au – Maitland will host a major NSW local government tourism conference this week, bringing councils, councillors, tourism professionals and council staff to the city to focus on strengthening local visitor economies.

The 2026 Local Government NSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference will be held at Maitland Town Hall from Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 May and is regarded as one of the largest tourism forums for the local government sector in Australia.

The conference comes as local economies continue to deal with cost pressures, infrastructure demands and uncertainty around fuel prices. Its program is aimed at helping councils share knowledge, work together and develop practical approaches to sustaining and growing visitor economies.

Local government is a key player in supporting destinations, facilitating tourism activity and contributing to economic development and employment. Sessions at the Maitland conference will examine current trends, tools and opportunities in the visitor economy, along with global marketing approaches and policy issues affecting the sector.

The program will also look at how council-owned assets can be used for visitor experiences, as well as the potential tourism impacts of new and upgraded airport infrastructure. Site visits will form part of the conference, showcasing visitor economy initiatives across Maitland and examples of destination development.

Maitland Mayor Philip Penfold said, “Hosting the conference is an opportunity to showcase the role local government plays in supporting a thriving visitor economy through long-term planning, infrastructure investment and strong community partnerships.

“It is a privilege to welcome delegates from across NSW to Maitland and to provide a welcoming setting for the conference program,” Mayor Penfold said.

More details can be seen here: https://lgnsw.org.au/DVE/Program.aspx