NSW VISITOR SPENDING SURGES ABOVE PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS

New Tourism Research Australia data shows domestic overnight visitor expenditure in NSW was $2.9 billion for the month October 2022, up 40 per cent on 2019.

Total spending on accommodation, food and drinks recorded the highest increases by expenditure category when compared to October 2019.

Throughout October 2022, NSW received 886,000 interstate visitors, with expenditure at $989 million, up 14 per cent on October 2019.

Sydney received 985,000 domestic overnight visitors, who spent $1.1 billion, which was up 37 per cent on the same month in 2019.

Regional NSW attracted 2.3 million overnight visitors, with expenditure at $1.8 billion, up 41 per cent on the same month in 2019.

October 2022 saw strong improvement for domestic travel in Australia overall following the impact of COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021. Overnight spend and nights were up 42 per cent (to $11 billion) and one per cent (to 36.6 million) respectively on pre-pandemic levels.

NSW VISITOR ECONOMY LEADS THE NATION

Tourism Research Australia’s International Visitor Survey and National Visitor Survey results for the year ending September 2022 show NSW led the nation for international visitor numbers, absolute growth and market share. NSW was also the top choice for domestic travellers.

International visitation to NSW continues to rebound exponentially, with 946,200 visitors generating $3.6 billion in visitor expenditure in the reporting period.

In the year ending September 2022, international visitors to NSW increased to 946,200 - up 871,300 visitors or 1164 per cent compared to year ending September 2021.

NSW received 85.8 million domestic overnight and daytrip visitors in the year ending September 2022 (up 19.5 per cent on the year ending September 2021), who spent $31.4 billion (up 40.6 per cent). This was the leading result in Australia, accounting for 29.7 per cent of all visitors and 27.9 per cent of all expenditure.    

NSW also received the largest daytrip visitor and expenditure share (28.6 per cent and 28.3 per cent respectively), while Sydney reaffirmed its status as Australia’s most vibrant capital city, with the highest share of visitors (26.3 per cent), nights (23.1 per cent) and expenditure (24.3 per cent).

Regional NSW also leads regional Australia in both domestic visitors and nights. There were 24.2 million overnight visitors to regional NSW in the year ending September 2022 (up 17.4 per cent on the year ending September 2021), who stayed 80.8 million nights (up 10.6 per cent) and spent $16.6 billion (up 28.9 per cent).

*Source: Destination NSW