Australian summer holidaymakers have boosted the fortunes of visitor economy businesses across NSW.

Accommodation, restaurants, bars, cafes and service stations saw the biggest spending increases as Australians took the opportunity to hit the road, head away for a holiday, camp out and dine out.

New NAB merchant terminal data has revealed an average 130 per cent jump in spending in some of Australia’s busiest holiday hotspots.

Estimates were taken from NAB merchant terminal data from 21 December 2024 to 5 January 2025 and compared to a normal period of trade (May 2024) excluding Christmas Day.

Accommodation including hotels, motels and caravan parks saw a huge jump in spending.

The highest increases in NSW were in Batemans Bay (up 242 per cent), Byron Bay (up 228 per cent) and Jervis Bay (up 174 per cent).

Restaurants and bars experienced a spike in spending with NSW highlights being Jervis Bay (up 300 per cent) and Merimbula (up 217 per cent).

Other notable spending increases include candy stores in Jervis Bay (up 239 per cent) and Batemans Bay (up 230 per cent), alcohol stores in Byron Bay (up 193 per cent) and golf courses in Merimbula (up 87 per cent).

NAB Business Direct and Small Business Executive Krissie Jones said: “This summer, as Australians enjoy their well-deserved break, they’re also continuing to play a crucial role in supporting local businesses and smaller economies that are more reliant on tourism,” Ms Jones said.

“While most of us are relaxing on our summer holidays, business owners are making the most of a surge in tourism numbers, which translates into higher spending and, in turn, supports the local economy.

“We know many businesses in holiday hotspots count on the peak summer period to drive much of their annual turnover, and the boost in trade helps them hire more local casual staff.

“This summer has seen a huge increase in spending on accommodation, hotels, motels and caravan parks, cafes, bars and restaurants and service stations as Australians hit the road.



Nerida Baker, who operates Beach Grill and Salt Bar at Ballina Byron Gateway Airport, said: “We saw so much activity from Schoolies this year and then it just seemed to stay busy through to Christmas.

"This year it felt like everyone was relaxed leading into the end of the year, and it was busy with people sitting down, grabbing a bite to eat and a drink, and excited for the festive season and travel.

“We always plan ahead for this busy period; we streamline procedures and hire more staff, especially casuals and juniors who might be on school or uni holidays, and my husband Jake and I dive back in to help the team.

“We’re the only food and beverage outlet in the airport and we believe a huge percentage of our business comes from tourism, we see such a diverse crowd travelling through arriving for their holiday, whether they’re off to Byron, Ballina, or to Lennox Head, Iluka or Yamba.

“You might get people heading away for a short break, traveling for music festivals, in transit for the ‘holiday of a lifetime’ or people celebrating milestones and, in an airport, they can be ordering food and drink in the early hours or late at night.

“You get departing travellers who are carrying bags from the local shops, they’ve really embraced the culture we have up here, and you can tell they’ve enjoyed the experience,” Ms Baker said.