Penrith tourism operators will get a guided tour of the Western Sydney Airport precinct on 15 June, a rare chance to walk the future visitor journey more than a year before the airport opens to passengers.
The free tour is part of “Destination Penrith: Experience more — ready to welcome the world,” a fully funded business training program run by Penrith City Council in partnership with Tourism Tribe. The day-long workshop at the airport’s Experience Centre includes sessions on customer service and designing a standout visitor journey, but it is the behind-the-scenes precinct access that makes this opportunity unmistakably different.
Up to five businesses that attend the workshop can then apply through an Expression of Interest for targeted one-on-one mentoring, helping them turn ideas into bookable experiences. That mentoring, the council says, is designed to lengthen visitor stays and boost local spending in Penrith ahead of the airport’s opening.
Penrith Mayor Todd Carney said the program builds on existing strengths. “We’re supporting local jobs, growing our economy and preparing for new opportunities as Western Sydney International Airport prepares to open,” Cr Carney said.
The program is tied to Penrith’s Visitor Economy Strategy 2023-2030, which positions the city as a gateway to the Blue Mountains and a hub for experience-based tourism. With the airport less than 20 minutes’ drive away, the council wants visitors to see Penrith as a base, not just a stopover.
Spaces for the 15 June workshop are limited, and registration is essential. Only five mentoring spots will be awarded, so business owners are urged to submit an Expression of Interest promptly after the workshop to be considered. Details and registration forms are on the Penrith City Council website.
What sets the program apart from generic hospitality training is that combination of group learning and individual mentoring, coupled with the rare airport precinct tour. For a local café owner, imagining how a flight crew’s layover might turn into a repeat booking becomes far more tangible when you have walked the path yourself.
For Penrith, the airport is expected to draw millions of visitors a year. The businesses that get in early with bookable experiences tailored to the airport corridor could shape the region’s tourism story for a decade to come.
Quick Facts
Penrith City Council
Local government authority for the Penrith Local Government Area in Western Sydney, responsible for community services, planning, and economic development initiatives including tourism growth strategies.
Western Sydney International Airport
New airport under construction in Western Sydney, expected to open in 2026, projected to create thousands of jobs and significantly boost visitor numbers and economic opportunities for surrounding areas including Penrith.