STRONG TOURISM GROWTH TO RURAL AND REGIONAL NSW

New data released by Tourism Research Australia this week shows Australian tourists are spending more money in rural and regional NSW than ever before.

Strong visitor growth to NSW regions has underpinned a record $16.7 billion year for domestic tourism in NSW, with the State welcoming 29.3 million visitors, according to the National Visitor Survey for the year ending December 2016.

Over the 12-month period, communities across rural and regional NSW welcomed 21 million visitors who stayed 71 million nights and spent $10.2 billion.

NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said rural and regional NSW was experiencing a tourism bonanza having achieved its highest domestic overnight visitors, nights and expenditure on record.

“Rural and regional NSW is the heartland of domestic visitation into NSW, with almost three times the number of domestic nights spent in regional NSW than in Sydney,” Mr Marshall said.

Tourism expenditure in the State’s regional areas also grew by 10 per cent, making regional travel the largest driver of NSW’s visitor expenditure growth.

Nationally, NSW also had the highest increase in domestic overnight holiday travellers, welcoming 12 million visitors on vacation. This growth was mainly driven by holiday visitors to regional NSW.

For more on the National Visitor Survey results, visit the Destination NSW website.