It’s no secret that Sydney is special, but new tourism data is showing it is more popular than ever.

A record amount of money is being spent in the harbour city and across New South Wales, with the visitor economy booming.  

“Bravo New South Wales, there’s no doubt that when NSW shines, the whole country feels the benefit,” Tourism and Transport Forum Chief Executive Margy Osmond said.

Last year added another record to the books, bringing in the highest ever tourist spend of $53 billion dollars, up 3.6 per cent on 2023’s figures.

“Businesses right across the Sydney region are so ecstatic at these figures and so ecstatic about the potential future,” Business Sydney Director Paul Nicalou said.

“Domestic spending is at an all time high, pumping $15.9 billion into Sydney alone.

Some of the credit, the NSW Treasurer says, has to go to pop superstar Taylor Swift.

“It would be remiss of me also not to take this opportunity to thank Taylor Swift, and the Swifties of NSW who flooded into Homebush last year to see those concerts, undoubtedly that was a big spur for action,” Daniel Mookhey said.

The Treasurer will be hoping for a similar sugar hit, with pop superstar Dua Lipa hitting the stage tonight.

The North Coast and the Blue Mountains were the most popular destinations outside city limits.

Visitors from overseas are up 11 per cent, with the most travellers coming from China, followed by the US and New Zealand.

The government is working with the airport company to strategically recruit airlines flying in from these countries. 

“We need them to stay longer and spend more, and that’s what they’ve doing and that’s what the number have been indicating,” NSW Tourism Minister Steve Kamper said.