NSW targets $91b visitor economy by 2035
The NSW government has announced plans to grow the state’s visitor economy to $91 billion by 2035, as outlined in a review of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy.
This new target represents a 40% increase from the previous goal and is expected to bring significant economic benefits to regional communities, which will receive nearly half ($44 billion) of the projected revenue.
This ambitious growth trajectory will further cement tourism as a critical pillar of future growth in the NSW economy, driving up to 150,000 new jobs in the next 11 years.
However, the review highlights the need for 40,000 extra hotel rooms, a 41% increase on current availability, and calls for more workers in key roles like tour guides and chefs.
The Minns Government’s strategy focuses on expanding tourism infrastructure, including increasing airline capacity and hotel availability.
With the opening of Newcastle Airport’s new international terminal in 2025 and Western Sydney International Airport in 2026, NSW expects 8.5 million additional airline seats.
Sydney Airport will also see increased capacity and cross-border arrivals through Canberra and Gold Coast Airports.
NSW premier Chris Minns said the state is an unbeatable hotspot for tourists across the globe.
“People coming to NSW for a holiday is at an all-time high, but this review shows there are opportunities to grow it even more, partially due to more airports opening and more flight routes being secured,” he said.
“We are ready to put our shoulder to the wheel and attract even more travellers to NSW, boosting local business and creating thousands of jobs.”
Recently, the government announced a Turkish Airlines route to Sydney Airport and an agreement to support Newcastle Airport to attract more international routes.
The government has also begun work on attracting more business events with a $1.5 million increase in funding for Business Events Sydney in 2025.
Minister for the arts, minister for music and the night-time economy, and minister for jobs and tourism, John Graham added: “We’re taking a sector that is already very strong and raising our ambitions even higher.
“This review dares us to dream big, but it also outlines the hard work needed to meet the opportunity.”
The NSW visitor economy is the biggest in Australia, achieving a record $53 billion in expenditure in 2024 and employing almost 300,000 workers.
The review into the 2030 strategy will inform the new NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, which will be released in the coming months.
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