The Value of Business Events to NSW

In the year ended September 2024, there were 191,800 domestic overnight business event visitors to Sydney, who stayed 448,000 nights with an average length of stay for 2.3 nights. There were 56,000 international business event visitors, who stayed 288,000 nights with an average length of stay for 5.1 nights.

Over a 4-year period of YE September 2019, and 2022-2024, there were an annual average of 121,100 domestic overnight business event visitors to regional NSW, who stayed 282,400 nights with an average length of stay for 2.3 nights. Over a 4-year period of YE September 2017-2019 and 2024, there were an annual average of 7,500 international business event visitors to regional NSW, who stayed 37,500 nights with an average length of stay for 5.0 nights.

Business Event Visitor Preference

(4-year average, YE December 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2023)

Accommodation & Transportation

Overnight business event visitors to NSW prefer standard commercial accommodation, and then high-end commercial accommodation.

The most common transport for domestic overnight business event visitors to Sydney is Aircraft, while for international business event visitors to Sydney is public or non-self-drive land transport (Bus, Train, etc.) when they travel locally. The most common mode of transport for domestic overnight and international business event visitors to regional NSW is self-drive vehicle.

Travel Trends

Beside business events, the most participated activity category for overnight business event visitors to NSW is social activities such as dining at a restaurant and/or cafe, shopping for pleasure, sightseeing etc.

Overnight business event visitors to NSW are more likely to travel alone.

Perception of Destinations & Return Travel Plans

Sydney was the top region visited by domestic overnight (62%) and international (93%) business event visitors to NSW.

Nearly 60% of the international business event visitors to NSW were on their return visits to Australia.

54% of the domestic overnight business event visitors to NSW were from interstate, while 46% were from intrastate.