NSW visitor economy records highest-ever expenditure of $53.2 billion

NSW has recorded its highest-ever visitor expenditure after domestic and international travellers spent an eye-watering figure across the state last year alone.

NSW has recorded its highest visitor expenditure after domestic and international travellers spent $53.2 billion across the state last year.

Tourism Research Australia data shows NSW and Sydney are the nation’s leading destinations for both domestic and international visitors, visitor nights and total expenditure.

It saw international visitation in the state grow 11.1 per cent from the previous year to 3.8 million visitors, with expenditure totalling $12bn — up 10.7 per cent from 2023.

Chinese visitors returned to the top spot, followed by Americans and New Zealanders.

Tourism Minister Steve Kamper said the NSW visitor economy surging past $53bn “for the first time in history” had delivered “real benefits for local businesses”.

Lunar New Year in Sydney. Picture: Richard Dobson

Sydney Festival.

He added that there were “more people visiting and spending” in NSW compared to anywhere else in Australia.

“Our focus is on unlocking and driving investment in our visitor economy,” he said.

“These results reflect the strength of our experience tourism approach, which connects visitors to our state’s unique offerings.”

Mr Kamper said the government remained committed to growing the sector further, with major investments including the $16m Western Sydney International Take-Off Fund to attract more international flights from 2026.

The data showed a record domestic spend of $41.2bn, including Sydney’s $15.9bn alone.

A key focus on authentic cultural and nature-based experiences, including Aboriginal tourism, has fuelled growth, with NSW the nation’s leading destination in 2024 and international participation growing 43.9 per cent from 2019.

The 2025 Mardi Gras Parade. Picture: NewsWire / Ben Symons

The state was also the leader for caravan and camping which welcomed 5.1 million domestic and international overnight visitors — up two per cent from the previous year.

Business Sydney Executive director Paul Nicolaou said tourism in the nation’s most populous city had “experienced a remarkable resurgence”.

“These figures highlight a robust recovery, with international visitation to Australia especially to Sydney,” he said.

“The increase in tourism has been further bolstered by Sydney’s recognition in global rankings. According to Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2024, Sydney was voted the best city in the world and the second friendliest city.”

Mr Nicolaou said events like the Sydney Festival, Mardi Gras and Lunar New Year celebrations also “contributed significantly” to the local economy with the festivities expected to generate $90 million in local spending while drawing more than half a million visitors.

Twin sisters from Toronto Canada Nicole Peters, 27, (left) and Lauren Peters on holiday in Sydney. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Twins Lauren and Nicole Peters, from Los Angeles, said they were already planning their next trip to Sydney while visiting in the harbour city. on Tuesday.

The sisters, 27, made the 15 hour trip to compete for Team Canada in the world water skiing championships in Mulwala, around 3 hours out of Melbourne, but said they had to come to Sydney while they were here.

“We thought we’ve come all the way out here… we have to explore a bit more of Australia,” Lauren said. “We’ve checked out Bondi beach, the Opera House… all the iconic places and I already don’t want to leave.”

While the twins maintain that their holiday so far has lived up to expectations, the cost of travelling in the land down under took them by surprise.

“I went to order a cocktail last night and saw it cost $28 which I thought was a bit insane,” Nicole said. “We’re from Canada but have been living in LA which itself is very expensive, but here I mean damn... Australia’s up there.”

Do you have a story for The Daily Telegraph? Message 0481 056 618 or email [e-mail]

Originally published as NSW visitor economy records highest-ever expenditure of $53.2 billion