$250m spending boost for NSW venues

Australia’s peak accommodation body, Accommodation Australia, has said the NSW Minns Government should be congratulated on its summer tourism events program.

Accommodation Australia CEO James Goodwin said the line-up of more than 20 cultural and sporting events is seeing money flowing into areas across metropolitan and regional New South Wales.

Goodwin highlighted events including the New Year’s Eve fireworks, plus the United Cup at Ken Rosewell Arena, the New Year Ashes Test and Sydney Festival as strong tourism attractors.

“Sydney really is the home of world-class events and that’s on display right now,” Goodwin said.

“[There’s] an estimated $250m spend in the visitor economy with accommodation hotels, pubs, restaurants, retailers and transport providers all directly benefiting.

“Sydney’s occupancy figures were already strong in December, with an average occupancy across the whole city of 80.3 per cent (up 3.7 per cent on last year) and 83.6 per cent in the city centre (up 3.1 per cent). These events will hopefully build on that and bring smiles to people’s faces after a tragic end to 2025.”

Goodwin said events like the Ashes were vital to the State’s economy – bringing in dedicated tourist groups like the ‘Barmy Army’ from the UK.

“Every major event means more tourists, more tourism dollars, more hotel rooms filled, more tables in cafes and restaurants booked – and that means more jobs for the people of Sydney – everyone benefits,” he said.

“Regional NSW hasn’t been left out either, with thousands expected at the Parkes Elvis Festival from Wednesday and the Tamworth Country Music Festival set to get underway on 16 January.

“I congratulate the Premier and his Tourism Minister Steve Kamper for their efforts in helping to boost the tourism economy in 2026.”

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