Maitland is hosting the 2026 Local Government NSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference this week, one of the largest tourism forums for the local government sector in Australia.
The conference brings together councils from across NSW to focus on strengthening and developing local visitor economies.
Local government plays a key role in supporting destinations, facilitating tourism activity, and contributing to economic development and employment.
The event takes place amidst ongoing cost pressures, infrastructure demands, and fuel uncertainty affecting local economies.
Against this backdrop, the conference program is designed to support knowledge sharing, collaboration and the development of practical approaches to sustaining and growing visitor economies.
Sessions will cover current trends, tools and opportunities within the visitor economy, as well as global marketing approaches and policy considerations affecting the sector.
The program will also examine the use of council-owned assets for visitor experiences and the potential impacts of new and upgraded airport infrastructure on tourism growth.
Site visits form part of the program and will highlight a range of visitor economy initiatives across Maitland, providing 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.
The Local Government NSW Destination and Visitor Economy Conference will be held at Maitland Town Hall from Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 May.
