The region joins the state’s success in cementing its position as Australia’s number one visitor economy, leading the nation in visitors, nights and expenditure.
The results align with the State Government’s ambitious NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, which sets targets of $91 billion in annual visitor expenditure, 40,400 new accommodation rooms, 8.5 million new airline seats and 150,000 additional jobs by 2035.
“The numbers are in, and NSW remains the number one destination for domestic and international tourists. These record results confirm the NSW Government is firmly on track to achieve its goal of $59 billion in visitor expenditure by 2026.” said Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper.
Across NSW, total visitor expenditure reached $55.9 billion, up 5.7 per cent year on year. While, international visitor expenditure grew even faster, rising 15.1 per cent to a record $13.9 billion.
Other highlights included:
- 124.6 million international and domestic visitors – 9.7 million more than Victoria and 44.8 million more than Queensland.
- 3.9 million international visitors (+5.4 per cent year on year) — 1.1 million more than Victoria and 1.7 million more than Queensland.
- Four international markets surpassing 2019 visitor levels: South Korea (140 per cent), India (111 per cent), Philippines (132 per cent) and Vietnam (140 per cent).
- International expenditure is reaching 123 per cent of 2019 levels.
- Average accommodation occupancy across NSW reached 74.6 per cent, up 1.2 per cent year on year and 2.7 per cent ahead of the national average (71.9 per cent).
- New England North West (+3.5 per cent) and the Blue Mountains (+2.7 per cent) recorded the strongest regional growth in occupancy.
- Sydney peaks included 94.5 per cent occupancy on New Year’s Eve and 89.1 per cent during Vivid Sydney.
- Total accommodation takings reached $7.1 billion, up three per cent year on year.
China was the largest contributor to NSW’s international visitor growth (+23.7 per cent), followed by the United States and New Zealand.
Sydney Airport recorded the highest seat capacity from mainland China of any Australian airport, welcoming its ninth mainland carrier, Juneyao Air, in December 2024 under the NSW Government’s Aviation Attraction Fund (AAF).
Destination NSW has also supported more than 75 events across Sydney and regional NSW.
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