New South Wales (NSW) has emerged as the champion of Australia’s tourism recovery, achieving a record-breaking $52.9 billion in visitor spending during the 2023-2024 financial year. This remarkable figure surpasses pre-pandemic levels, signifying a major milestone for the state’s visitor economy. The impressive growth is attributed to a surge in both international tourism and domestic travel.
NSW welcomed a staggering 3.7 million international visitors, a 35.6% increase from the previous year. These visitors enjoyed a total of 99.1 million nights, a 46.2% increase from FY23, and spent a hefty $12.2 billion, reflecting a 41.9% rise.
Sydney, the state capital, played a pivotal role in this success story. It attracted 37.5 million international and domestic visitors, who contributed a remarkable $26.8 billion to the local economy. The city outshone other Australian capitals in visitor numbers, visitor nights, and overall spending.
Tourism in regional NSW also thrived, attracting 65.4 million international and domestic visitors. International travelers spent 17.1 million nights in regional areas, further bolstering the tourism sector. The growing popularity of First Nations tourism experiences added another layer of success, with over 800,000 visitors engaging in Aboriginal tourism, generating $3.2 billion in expenditure.
New South Wales Tourism Minister John Graham expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “The latest data confirms that New South Wales is Australia’s number one destination for both domestic and international visitors, leading the country’s tourism recovery.”
Destination New South Wales CEO Steve Cox echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the state’s commitment to growth. He stated, “New South Wales continues to break records, and our focus remains on fast-tracking the return of international visitation to pre-pandemic levels.”
