Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Figures show NSW as Australia’s number one regional destination for visitors

Figures show NSW as Australia’s number one regional destination for visitors
June 17, 2016

NSW is the number one State in Australia for total visitor nights, visitor numbers and visitor expenditure in both the international and domestic stakes with Regional NSW far ahead of its rivals in visitor numbers.

In the year ended December 2015, regional NSW received 689,700 international visitors who stayed 14 million nights in the State and spent $914 million, according to Tourism Research Australia’s International Visitor Survey.

Commenting on the results, NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres stated “it’s pleasing to see the whole State benefit from regional NSW’s thriving visitor economy. Best of all these figures represent an increase on the previous year ended December 2014, with regional NSW experiencing 8.5 more visitors, 15.1 more nights and 30.2 more visitor expenditure.”.

Regional NSW outperformed regional Australia which experienced growth in nights of 9 (compared to NSW’s growth of 15.1), and where expenditure grew at 14.4 (compared to NSW’s growth of 30.2).

Minister Ayres added “the international appeal of regional NSW destinations including Byron Bay on the North Coast and the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains have encouraged significant growth in international visitor numbers, with the unspoilt South Coast and famed wine producing Riverina region also recording growth from international markets.”

The research also showed that regional NSW recorded increases from domestic travellers including 54.3 million overnight and daytrip visitors, an increase of 6.2. These travellers stayed 66.3 million nights in regional NSW and spent $13.2 billion.

These results reflect the success of ongoing campaigns from Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s major events and tourism agency. Designed to stimulate consumer action and attitudinal change, Destination NSW’s marketing and advertising programs work closely with Regional Tourism Organisations to promote regional NSW destinations and events.

The agency combines regional events, marketing and publicity campaigns to drive domestic and international visitation to achieve the NSW Government’s targets of doubling overnight visitation by 2020 and positioning the State as the number one tourism and events destination in Australia.

Since March 2011, the NSW Government has won or re-secured 86 major events for regional NSW, featuring some of Australia’s most unique and successful home-grown events including the Tamworth Country Music Festival, the Deni Ute Muster, Parkes Elvis Festival and the IRONMAN Australia Port Macquarie. In 2016, Destination NSW will support 36 regional events through the NSW Government’s Regional Flagship Events Program.

Successful campaigns have included the award-winning Destination Marketing campaign for NSW’s South Coast (2015 NSW Tourism Awards) which took an innovative approach to utilising an ‘always on’ digital presence resulting in an 8.2 year-on-year increase in South Coast international and domestic visitor numbers (overnight and daytrip) and 16.4 increase in visitor nights in the region for the year ended December 2015.

Destination NSW has continued its highly successful media familiarisation program with more than 360 media visiting regional NSW in 2016 year to date. Media visits have seen Vogue China visit the Central Coast, US magazine Food & Wine and prestigious Monocle Magazine visit Byron Bay, Chinese TV program Travel with Superstar journey down the South Coast, and USA Today visit Australia’s oldest wine region, the Hunter Valley.

Images: Scenic World Blue Mountains (top) and the Deni Ute Muster (below).

27th May 2016 - DENI UTE MUSTER GETS NSW GOVERNMENT BACKING

15th April 2016 - FESTIVAL LEGENDS HEADLINE NSW REGIONAL EVENTS CONFERENCE

26th March 2016 - 2015 A RECORD BREAKING YEAR FOR TOURISM ON THE NSW CENTRAL COAST

25th June 2015 - STRONG SUPPORT FOR TOURISM AND EVENTS IN 2015 NSW BUDGET

24th April 2015 - SYDNEY CONTINUES TO HEAD AUSTRALIAN TOURISM VISITATION

26th October 2013 - VISITOR PLEA FROM BLUE MOUNTAINS TOURISM


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

HRMWEB

At easyemployer we've come up with a software solution that manages one of your most important, and often most costly, business resources - your staff. We are helping 100s of clients to…

read more

Finance / Fitness / Technology

 
 

Yellowbox Lockers

Yellowbox is an Australian technology company that has developed smart locker technology operated through an app with a focus on experience for users and facility managers. Found at Beaches, Aquatic…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Entertainment / Retail / Security

 
 

State Wide Pool Services

Known as Hydrilla since September 2020 - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/hydrilla-pty-ltd

read more

Aquatics

 
 

GEOFF NINNES FONG AND PARTNERS

Geoff Ninnes Fong & Partners (GNFP) is a structural, aquatic and civil engineering consultancy with broad experience in the design of new municipal and institutional swimming pools, hydrotherapy…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Design / Venues

 
 

BioLab Australia Pty Ltd

BioGuard is Australia and New Zealand’s most trusted supplier of premium, innovative and affordable commercial water treatment systems and chemicals. BioGuard offers a comprehensive range of…

read more

Aquatics / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

Aflex Inflatables

Aflex Inflatables are the leaders for obstacle courses, pool toys, waterparks and land-based watersides and fitness runs. They are industry leaders offering the widest range of pool, lake and beach…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Waterparks

 
 

TPEC Pool Enclosures

TPEC Pool Enclosures provide a large range of premium commercial and residential retractable swimming pool, spa and terrace enclosures throughout Australia, servicing residential, local government…

read more

Aquatics / Design / Recreation / Venues

 
 

APT Asia Pacific Pty Ltd

APT (Advanced Polymer Technology) is the leading global manufacturer of polyurethane-based materials, acrylic coatings and synthetic turf products for sporting and recreational applications. From…

read more

Environment / Sport / Surfaces / Technology

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business