The Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour BridgeCredit: Destination NSW
The Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge at sunrise
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NSW welcomed the largest share of international visitors and highest expenditure in the nation in the year ending March 2024, with visitors spending more nights in the state than pre-COVID-19.
The latest International Visitor Survey by Tourism Research Australia (TRA) shows NSW was Australia’s top destination for international visitors, visitor nights and expenditure in the year ending March 2024.
There were 3.7 million international visitors to NSW during the period, who stayed 95.2 million nights and spent $11.8 billion.
Sydney was the number one capital city for visitors, visitor nights and expenditure. It received 3.4 million international visitors who stayed 79.9 million nights and spent an estimated $10.7 billion.
There were 694,400 international visitors to regional NSW, who stayed 15.3 million visitor nights and spent an estimated $1.1 billion.
NSW was also number one in Australia for domestic visitation, visitor nights and expenditure. The state welcomed 100.3 million domestic visitors who stayed 117.8 million nights.
NSW and Sydney both achieved their highest domestic expenditure on record in the year ending March 2024, at $41 billion and $15.7 billion respectively.
Regional NSW was Australia’s favourite regional destination for domestic travellers, attracting 66 million visitors in the year ending March 2024. It was also the domestic daytrip capital of Australia, recording 38.9 million domestic daytrips.
Nielsen Park, Vaucluse Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views of Sydney Harbour from Nielsen Park, Vaucluse.
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Nielsen Park, Vaucluse Credit: Destination NSW
Scenic views of Sydney Harbour from Nielsen Park, Vaucluse.
Logan Wines, Apple Tree Flat Credit: Destination NSW
Car arriving at Logan Wines, Apple Tree Flat near Mudgee.
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Logan Wines, Apple Tree Flat Credit: Destination NSW
Car arriving at Logan Wines, Apple Tree Flat near Mudgee.
Destination NSW Acting CEO Ian Maltman:“These results confirm the NSW visitor economy is celebrating a strong and fast recovery.
“NSW is Australia’s top destination for international visitors, while domestic visitor expenditure has hit a record high of $41 billion for NSW and $15.7 billion for Sydney.
“Destination NSW has a laser focus on ensuring NSW continues to deliver the country’s best visitor experiences, through investment in its capability-building NSW First industry program, marketing initiatives and vibrant events calendar.”
International visitor fast facts
- International visitor expenditure in NSW was five per cent higher than in 2019.
- International visitor nights spent in NSW reached 95.2 million, just two per cent lower than in 2019. The largest percentage of arrivals came from the United States, New Zealand and China.
- Average expenditure per night in NSW rose from $115 per night in the year ending March 2019 to $124 per night in the year ending March 2024.
- Sydney received 3.4 million international visitors, who stayed 79.9 million nights and spent an estimated $10.7 billion, accounting for 53 per cent of international visitors to Australian capital cities, 39 per cent of nights and 42 per cent of expenditure.
- The fastest growing international source markets for visitors to Sydney were South Korea (up 19.4 per cent), India (up 12.4 per cent) and Indonesia (up 4.9 per cent).
- The largest source market for international visitors to regional NSW was the United Kingdom (18 per cent).
- The fastest-growing source markets for international visitors to regional NSW were India (up 15.8 per cent), the Netherlands (up 4.1 per cent) and Indonesia (up 116.5 per cent).
Bondi Icebergs, Bondi Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial view of Bondi Icebergs and surrounds, Bondi
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Bondi Icebergs, Bondi Credit: Destination NSW
Aerial view of Bondi Icebergs and surrounds, Bondi
Balloon Aloft Hunter Valley Credit: Chris Elfes
Balloon Aloft, wheelchair accessible hot air balloon over the Hunter Valley
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Balloon Aloft Hunter Valley Credit: Chris Elfes
Balloon Aloft, wheelchair accessible hot air balloon over the Hunter Valley
Domestic visitor fast facts
- Domestic visitor nights and expenditure in Sydney increased to 31.8 million (up 2.6 million or +8.8 per cent) and $15.7 billion (up $1.5 billion or +10.6 per cent), respectively, as compared to the year ending March 2023.
- Sydney daytrip visitor expenditure increased by $471 million (up 13.5 per cent) to $4 billion compared to the year ending March 2023, the highest daytrip expenditure on record.
- Domestic overnight business visitor expenditure was $0.8 billion, up 16.2 per cent.
- Domestic visitor numbers to regional NSW in the year ending March 2024 were the second highest on record at 27.1 million.
- When compared with the closest corresponding period pre-pandemic (year ending March 2020), domestic visitation to regional NSW was up 4.9 per cent.
- The top three regions were the Hunter at 114.7 per cent of March 2020 results, the South Coast at 113.2 per cent and New England North West at 112.3 per cent.
- Domestic overnight visitor growth was up 3.3 per cent year on year for regional NSW. New England North West had the strongest growth (up 16.5 per cent), followed by the Central Coast (11.2 per cent).
- The top destination for domestic daytrips were the Hunter, which welcomed 7.27 million trips (up 5.3 per cent) and the North Coast, which welcomed 7.25 million trips (up 17.6 per cent).
Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying scenic views of Sydney Harbour from Mrs Macquaries Point.
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Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney Harbour Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying scenic views of Sydney Harbour from Mrs Macquaries Point.
Whites Beach, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a day at Whites Beach, Byron Bay.
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Whites Beach, Byron Bay Credit: Destination NSW
Friends enjoying a day at Whites Beach, Byron Bay.
More News
Vivid Sydney 2024Credit: Destination NSW
The 'Nest' installation at the Stargazer Lawn, Barangaroo during Vivid 2024. Artist: Leila Jeffreys & Melvin J. Montalban. An expansive circular structure welcomes you to bear witness to the ritualistic mating dance of the Brolga, one of only two species of crane native to Australia. Projected onto a transparent surface, the huge bird apparitions appear to float in the air and are visible from both out and inside the Nest.
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Calling All Dreamers: Vivid Sydney Wants You
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
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Vivid Sydney, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest multi-artform festival, is calling on the best creative minds to submit ideas for next year’s event.
Vivid Sydney 2025 will take place from Friday 23 May to Saturday 14 June 2025, with a program centred around the theme of Vivid Sydney, Dream.
Artists, musicians, thought leaders and food creatives are encouraged to submit Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the opportunity to be part of Australia’s largest event and showcase their work to a mass audience across the festival pillars of Light, Music, Ideas and Food.
Destination NSW CEO Steve Cox said: “Since 2009, Vivid Sydney has grown to become Sydney’s vibrant cultural showpiece, driving significant visitation to Sydney and regional NSW and positioning our state as the arts and creative industries capital of the Asia Pacific.
“Vivid Sydney is more than a light show, it is Sydney’s living legacy that captures imaginations and shares with visitors and locals alike the very best talent from our creative, entertainment and hospitality industries.
“I encourage the brightest talents to join Destination NSW in creating an event that elevates the Harbour City as the Asia Pacific’s leader in world-class cultural experiences.”
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying a night out at Machine Hall during Vivid 2024
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Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Patrons enjoying a night out at Machine Hall during Vivid 2024
Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini said: “Vivid Sydney 2025 is pushing the creative boundaries across our theme of “Dream” to deliver another unforgettable global celebration.
“Dreaming is something we all do. It’s as old as time and as universal as life itself. Dreams don’t discriminate – they are borderless, ageless and endless. They can be personal or public. When shared, our dreams can become a movement. They can inspire, motivate, spark excitement and connection.
“The whole world dreams, it is something we have in common, something that unites us. Our human story is embedded in dreams, they help explain our existence and our past.
“We want the very best in homegrown talent to be part of our vibrant Vivid Sydney event program, with a unique opportunity to foster community connection, spark imagination and showcase the multitude of ways creativity can enrich our lives.
“Each year Vivid Sydney aims to deliver unparalleled artistic brilliance and we look forward to welcoming the inspirations within our community that will help shape Vivid Sydney 2025 into a show-stopping cultural phenomenon.”
The Vivid Sydney EOI outlines opportunities for artists, designers, creative industry professionals, equipment suppliers, architects, engineers, promoters, restaurants, event companies, chefs, producers and educational institutions to present their ideas, designs, concepts and interest for inclusion in the annual event.
Light and Cross Art Form EOIs will close on Monday 2 September 2024 with Ideas, Music and Food closing on Friday 27 September 2024.
This year’s Vivid Sydney attracted 2.42 million attendees, making it the third largest on record. Highlights included a record-breaking opening night and the busiest single night in the festival’s history on Sunday 9 June.
While Vivid Sydney 2024 attracted millions of people from across Australia and the globe, it also had a profound impact on the creative minds who helped bring the event to life, including Sydney’s retail, hospitality and accommodation sectors.
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Shifting Perspectives at Walsh Bay Arts Precinct for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024
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Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Shifting Perspectives at Walsh Bay Arts Precinct for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024
Leila Jeffreys the artist behind popular Vivid Light 2024 installation Nest said: “Thank you to Festival Director Gill Minervini and all at Vivid Sydney for giving me and my artistic collaborator Melvin J. Montalban the opportunity to create art on a scale that we could not have achieved on our own.
“I visited Nest many times throughout the festival and was always moved to see people from all walks of life and ages stand together to witness the courtship dance of the Brolga, a moment where we all felt the link between the natural world and the human journey.”
Tekno Train creator and composer Paul Mac said: “When I set out to create Tekno Train I wanted to make an experience that fused my love of techno and trains with lights and to share this joy with as many people as possible. The positive reactions I have received from people on the train, as well as the drivers, guards, and random folks on social media has absolutely blown me away.
“Vivid Sydney 2024 has been an unexpected career highlight, and I am forever grateful to everyone who helped bring this together.”
Club Broadway MC & Music Producer DJ Dan Murphy said: “Bringing our Club Broadway show to a Vivid Sydney audience has been an absolute joy. We loved making our show accessible to a whole new audience who love the world of musical theatre.
“Vivid Sydney is such an amazing and important festival for our city, and we were thrilled to be on the program. From old to young, we had them all on the dancefloor for Club Broadway at Tumbalong Park. The night was absolutely magical and a great way to celebrate our community.”
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Sex Work; A Social History Walking Tour at Elizabeth Bay for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024. This fascinating walking tour is an invitation to see the area and profession in a new light. Led by writer, performer and Kings Cross local Vashti Hughes and the Inner City Legal Centre's Managing Solicitor Katie Green, you will be immersed in the sights, history and contemporary challenges of sex work in Australia's most famous redlight district.
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Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Sex Work; A Social History Walking Tour at Elizabeth Bay for Vivid Ideas during Vivid Sydney 2024. This fascinating walking tour is an invitation to see the area and profession in a new light. Led by writer, performer and Kings Cross local Vashti Hughes and the Inner City Legal Centre's Managing Solicitor Katie Green, you will be immersed in the sights, history and contemporary challenges of sex work in Australia's most famous redlight district.
Service and Creative Skills Australia (the Jobs and Skills Council for Arts, Personal Services, Retail, Tourism and Hospitality) CEO Natalie Turmine said: “Vivid Sydney showcases brilliantly our talented and vibrant creative arts, tourism and hospitality workforce, demonstrating the wealth of exciting career opportunities available in this sector.
“Thank you to all the creative artists, technicians, performers, hospitality staff and event organisers for delivering another successful Vivid Sydney.”
Plate it Forward CEO and restaurateur Shaun Christie-David said: “Vivid Sydney shows the diversity of Sydney, shining a positive light on our city, culture and produce. As a social enterprise hospitality group, it was a privilege to partner with Vivid Sydney to bring the 2024 festival theme humanity to life through food. Food is all about sharing, love, respect and community.
“There is so much pride, joy and power that can be found in food, it is a platform to celebrate culture, make meaningful connections and create jobs. Through working with Vivid Food and selling more than 1000 tacos, more than 1500 meals will be donated to community kitchens for people in need.”
Tourism & Transport Forum CEO Margy Osmond said: “Between the lights, the music, the ideas, the food and the incredible vibe…Vivid Sydney has once again delivered a spectacular event for visitors and locals of all ages, with the big winners being local tourism and hospitality operators.”
“The bright lights of Vivid Sydney have showcased first-class hospitality, creativity and our beloved Sydney CBD and Harbour icons to audiences across the globe, demonstrating the value and huge potential of this event and the need to continue investing in world class events.”
Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying the Fire Kitchen at The Goods Line during Vivid 2024. It's back and blazing brighter than ever. Vivid Fire Kitchen returns, igniting its new home at The Goods Line with flame-seared street food from around the globe. Come and enjoy the universal language of BBQ, the best NSW produce and the diversity of Sydney's food scene as we gather round the fire once again.
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Vivid Sydney 2024 Credit: Destination NSW
Couple enjoying the Fire Kitchen at The Goods Line during Vivid 2024. It's back and blazing brighter than ever. Vivid Fire Kitchen returns, igniting its new home at The Goods Line with flame-seared street food from around the globe. Come and enjoy the universal language of BBQ, the best NSW produce and the diversity of Sydney's food scene as we gather round the fire once again.
Accommodation Australia’s Michael Johnson said: “Once again, the juggernaut that is Vivid Sydney illuminated the city, shining a light on the beauty and culture of the city.
“Over the course of the event, hotels in the CBD enjoyed 75 per cent occupancy with bookings reaching as high as 90 per cent on weekends. There is no denying major events such as Vivid Sydney, that have the capacity to draw a high level of overnight visitation in the middle of winter, create an incredible boost for the city’s visitor economy.”
Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency.
For more information and to submit an Expression of Interest for Vivid Sydney 2025, go to www.vividsydney.com