March 2024 Newsletter
Tourism recovery trends
Tourism Australia reports that the industry is continuing to recover after the pandemic, particularly as Chinese visitors return, although this market is still 50% down on 2019. In positive signs though, more visitors are now coming to Australia overall for a ‘holiday’ as opposed to ‘visiting friends and relatives.’ For the year ending January 2024, total international arrivals stood at 7,378,800 (being 78% of the 2019 figure – still 2.1M fewer visitors, showing there is yet a way to go to full recovery). However, the backpacker and Working Holiday Maker (WHM) sector continues to forge ahead with 181,200 WHMs in Australia at 29 February 2024 (source: Department of Home Affairs).
The NSW visitor economy also surpassed $50 billion in expenditure for the first time in history (for the year ending December 2023, from both domestic and international visitors) with Sydney receiving 53 per cent of all international visitors to Australian capitals (source: Destination New South Wales).
Events
The Youth Tourism NSW Committee is busy working on a range of events to bring members together this year. Meanwhile, mark your diaries for Thursday 25 July 2024 in Byron Bay for an Open Meeting and networking function from 5pm. Stay tuned for booking details for this and other events.
Member spotlight
We are proud to introduce our latest member – Campervan Village. This company is a global tour de force in 4WD & Campervan rental, hiring campervans and 4WD from over 14 locations across Australia & NZ. Their unique selling point is that they allow for drivers aged 18+ for their cars and campervans and 21+ for 4WDs – so send those fresh-faced young backpackers their way! Check them out at
To get further information on anything to do with YTNSW, don’t hesitate to get in touch – contact@youthtourismnsw.org.au
Thanks for your support and contribution to growing the youth tourism industry in New South Wales & the ACT. We would also like to give a special thanks to Allsopp Bunting Insurance for their ongoing support of YTNSW and the industry.