Domestic visitors to NSW spent a record $41.2bn in 2024, $15.9bn of it in Sydney, new tourism research data reveals. Photo: ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
2024 has proven to be NSW’s best-ever year for visitor revenue with $53.2 billion spent by domestic and international travellers.
The figure was 3.6 per cent higher year-on-year according to new data from Tourism Research Australia, the state government says.
It says NSW, and Sydney, proved to be the nation’s most attractive destination for domestic and international visitors, visitor nights and total spending.
Tourism and Job Minister Steve Kamper says the post-pandemic recovery is taking root.
“Throughout (the) COVID years, our tourism industry took a major hit but we are starting to see the green shoots come through,” he says.
“Our focus is on unlocking opportunity and driving investment in our visitor economy.”
He pointed to major investments including a $16m Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund to attract more international flights and visitors from 2026.
International visitor numbers to NSW grew 11.1 per cent year-on-year to 3.8 million as spending totalled $12 billion, up 10.7 per cent from the year before.
China became the top country of origin since the pandemic, followed by the United States and New Zealand.
On the domestic front, spending reached a record $41.2bn with $15.9bn in Sydney alone.
The data shows NSW remains the top destination for caravan and camping with 5 million overnight visitors, up 2 per cent on 2023.
The state was also Australia’s top Aboriginal tourism destination with international visitors growing 43.9 per cent compared to 2019.
FACTS AND FIGURES
International visitors totalled 3.8 million (up 11.1 per cent) and spent $12bn (up 10.7 per cent) as visitors stayed 100.8 million nights (up 14.9 per cent).
Domestic overnight visitors were 37.5 million (up 2 per cent) and spent $31.5 billion (up 2.7 per cent).
International visitors to Western Sydney rose to 539,500, up 5.2 per cent on 2023.
November recorded the highest accommodation occupancy rates with 81 per cent for NSW (87 per cent for Sydney and 70 per cent for regional NSW).
The North Coast recorded the largest increase in regional visitors as numbers rose by 11.1 per cent to 6.3 million.
The Snowy Mountains and Blue Mountains recorded the strongest year-on-year growth in regional occupancy rates (up 8.9 per cent and 7.2 per cent respectively).
