The NSW visitor economy has exceeded its phase one target for the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, with new data showing visitor expenditure surging to $59.4 billion in the year ending September 2025.

Tourism Research Australia (TRA) reports total visitor expenditure in NSW reached $59.4 billion during the period, up 7.3 per cent year-on-year. The Strategy’s goal was to reach $59 billion in the year ending December 2026.

The nation-leading result was boosted by a record $14 billion in international visitor expenditure during the period.

NSW welcomed four million international visitors — up 8.4 per cent year-on-year — who stayed a record 104.2 million nights.

Compared with the year ending September 2019, international visitor nights rose 6.5 per cent, while expenditure surged by 22.3 per cent.

China was the state’s largest international source market, with 520,600 visitors (up 21.1 per cent year-on-year), who stayed 20.3 million nights (up 15.1 per cent) and spent a record $5 billion (up 43.9 per cent year-on-year) during their trips.

The second largest international source market was the United States (469,700), with visitor expenditure reaching $1 billion for the first time.

The top five international markets for visitor expenditure recovery compared to the year ending September 2019 were: France (175 per cent), Vietnam is (173 per cent), Indonesia (158 per cent), South Korea (146 per cent) and the United Kingdom (132 per cent).

Other international visitor highlights included:

  • 50.2 per cent of international visitors to Australia visited NSW
  • International visitors to Sydney stayed 86.4 million nights and spent $12.8 billion
  • Regional NSW received 700,000 international visitors who stayed 17.8 million nights and spent $1.2 billion
  • 1.2 million international visitors to NSW engaged in a food experience during their trip to NSW (up 6.5 per cent year-on-year)
  • 3.3 million international visitors to NSW engaged in nature and outdoor-based activities during their trip (up 6.5 per cent year-on-year)
  • In the year ending September 2025, 14.6 per cent of international visitors to Sydney visited Western Sydney

NSW was the leading destination in the nation for total visitors, nights and expenditure. The state welcomed 126.3 million international and domestic visitors (up 5.4 per cent year-on-year). These visitors stayed 221.6 million nights (up 1.8 per cent year-on-year) and spent $59.4 billion (up 7.3 per cent year-on-year).

Fast facts

  • There were 39.2 million domestic overnight visitors to NSW during the period (+0.1 per cent year-on-year)
  • NSW received 83.1 million domestic daytrip visitors (+7.9 per cent year on year) who spent $14 billion (+15.4 per cent)
  • 46.4 per cent of domestic overnight visitors to Sydney visited Western Sydney in the September quarter 2025. There were 1.5 million visitors to the region, who stayed 3.4 million nights and spent $1 billion during the quarter.
  • Regional NSW was the number one regional destination in Australia for domestic visitors (15.5 million) and nights (18.5 million) in the September quarter 2025.
  • North Coast was the most popular NSW regional destination, welcoming 1.45 million visitors.
  • NSW received the highest percentage of domestic overnight visitors (34.7 per cent) and daytrip visitors (30.4 per cent) in the country.
  • In the September quarter 2025, domestic overnight business events visitors to NSW spent on average $481 per night, 86 per cent higher than domestic overnight leisure visitor spend
  • International expenditure in NSW has reached 59 per cent of the $23.6 billion target set by the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2025 for the next decade.