Aerial view of Lake Cathie Beach in the Mid-North Coast of NSW looking south towards North HavenNSW has cemented its position as Australia’s number one visitor economy, leading the nation in visitors, nights and expenditure in the financial year ending June 2025, according to Tourism Research Australia (TRA).
The results align with the Minns Labor Governments 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. Total visitor expenditure reached $55.9 billion, up 5.7 per cent year on year. 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 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.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: “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.
“The Minns Labor Government is focused on growing our visitor economy. Our strategy aims to build aviation capacity by adding 8.5 million seats through our Take Off Funds, and unlocking more than 40,000 new accommodation rooms through the new IDA pathway for hotel investment.
“We already have the most outstanding destinations, experiences and events, and we will continue to drive investment in our visitor economy and strengthen NSW’s position as Australia’s leading destination for domestic and international visitors.
FAST FACTS
- 1.2 million international visitors to NSW engaged in a food experience during their trip (up 10.7 per cent year on year)
- 3.3 million international visitors to NSW engaged in nature and outdoor-based activities during their trip (up 5.5 per cent year on year)
