Strategic investments by the NSW Government in aviation access, major events and world-class visitor experiences have delivered a record result for international visitor expenditure in NSW.

According to the latest data from Tourism Research Australia, NSW welcomed 3.9 million international visitors in the year ending March 2025 – up 5.4 per cent year on year.

These visitors stayed 102.2 million nights (up 7.3 per cent) and spent a record $13.4 billion (up 15 per cent), the highest international visitor expenditure of any state.

NSW was the top Australian destination for Chinese visitors, attracting 493,600 travellers from mainland China, who spent $4.3 billion and stayed 19.1 million nights. This performance far exceeded that of Victoria ($2.9 billion) and Queensland ($0.8 billion).

Nine Chinese mainland airlines are now operating into Sydney, more than any other Australia gateway, thanks to the Aviation Attraction Fund – a NSW Government initiative delivered by Destination NSW. Sydney Airport currently offers the highest seat capacity from mainland China of any Australian airport.

International visitation to Sydney recorded strong growth across all indicators. For the year ending March 2025, the Harbour City welcomed 3.6 million international visitors (up 4.5 per cent), who stayed 84.5 million nights (up 5.7 per cent) and spent $12.2 billion (up 15.4 per cent). 

Holidaymakers drove the increase in visitors, while the education market delivered strong gains in nights and expenditure.

Sydney Airport’s T1 International terminal experienced its busiest summer on record, with 300,000 more passengers passing through between 13 December 2024 and 27 January 2025 compared to the same period in 2019.

Regional NSW also saw strong growth, particularly from international travellers visiting friends and relatives. The regions welcomed 700,000 international visitors (up 4.5 per cent), who stayed 17.7 million nights (up 15.8 per cent) and spent $1.2 billion (up 10.5 per cent).

Minister for Jobs and Tourism Steve Kamper said: “NSW continues to be Australia’s leading state for international tourism, receiving the highest number of visitors, visitor nights and expenditure.

“These results are testament to our great state’s diverse experiences, stunning natural landscapes and thriving cultural scene.

“They also follow a series of targeted aviation initiatives that have already delivered major wins for the state, including new international routes into Western Sydney and Newcastle and increased global connectivity for Sydney Airport.

“We are proud to be supporting visitor economy businesses across the state with the policies, programs and investment they need to deliver the nation’s most unforgettable tourism moments.”

Winter events inject a cool $320 million into NSW visitor economy

NSW’s year-round major events calendar continued to be a powerful driver of international visitation during the year ending March 2025, with highlights including Vivid Sydney 2024, the Sydney Marathon and the Bledisloe Cup.

The strong momentum is set to continue, with winter shaping up to be another standout tourism season for NSW. Destination NSW is supporting 24 events from June to August 2025, expected to attract almost 2.5 million attendees and inject more than $320 million into the state’s visitor economy. 

This line-up includes Vivid Sydney 2025, MJ The Musical, the British and Irish Lions Rugby Tour, the Women’s State of Origin series and the final match of the 2025 Men’s State of Origin.

Destination NSW has also launched a new seasonal marketing campaign, Feel the Sydney Side of Winter, targeting key domestic markets in Victoria, Queensland, the ACT and across NSW. 

Destination NSW CEO Karen Jones said: “This momentum reflects the collaborative effort of our tourism operators, event partners and aviation stakeholders – and the growing appetite among international and domestic visitors for uniquely NSW experiences. 

“From Vivid Sydney to Broken Hill’s Mundi Mundi Bash and from whale watching to fireside dining, our winter line-up offers extraordinary ways to connect with place and culture right across the state. 

“With fresh campaigns promoting winter travel and a packed events calendar, we expect winter 2025 to build on last year’s success, when 9.7 million overnight visitors contributed $10.7 billion to the state’s economy.”

Destination NSW-supported events during winter 2025:

  • Titanique
  • Surfest
  • MJ: The Musical
  • Vivid Sydney
  • Vivid Sydney at Carriageworks
  • Vivid LIVE at Sydney Opera House and Lighting of the Sails
  • National Touch League, Coffs Harbour
  • Sydney Film Festival
  • Museum of Contemporary Art Australia: Cerith Wyn Evans
  • Art Gallery of New South Wales: Yolŋu power: the art of Yirrkala
  • British and Irish Lions versus NSW Waratahs
  • Men’s State of Origin
  • Women’s State of Origin
  • 2025 Emerging Matildas Championship
  • The Book of Mormon
  • British and Irish Lions versus Wallabies - Third Test
  • Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash
  • TCS Sydney Marathon
  • Glenworth Grazing Festival
  • Winter Wine Festival, Gerringong
  • OpenField Arts Festival, Berry
  • Illuminate 2025, Raymond Terrace
  • StoryFest, South Coast
  • Ultra Trail Jervis Bay