RECORD RESULTS FOR NSW

NSW has received its highest ever numbers for international visitors, nights and expenditure, according to the latest International Visitor Survey released this week.

In the calendar year 2017, NSW welcomed 4.2 million international visitors, the highest on record, who stayed 94.4 million nights and spent $10.4 billion. The State attracted 1.5 million more international visitors than Queensland and 1.3 million more than Victoria.

Regional NSW also achieved its best results on record, with double digit growth in international visitor numbers and expenditure and a 9.8 per cent increase in visitor nights.

NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said the results demonstrated the NSW Government’s tourism and major events strategies were delivering for every corner of the State.

“In the year to December 2017, communities across rural and regional NSW welcomed 852,500 international visitors, who stayed 14.7 million nights and spent $1.05 billion, delivering a tourism bonanza for local restaurants, hotels and tourism attractions,” Mr Marshall said.

“Visitor numbers grew by a mammoth 11 per cent and their dollar spend grew by 19 per cent, which is a phenomenal increase on last year.

“While NSW is absolutely smashing records in the tourism industry, we won’t be complacent. I’m committed to boosting these numbers even further and continuing to break records for our State.

“The NSW Government will continue to invest in our visitor economy and ensure that our State continues to lead Australia in international tourism,” he said.