Sydneysiders Splurge on Overnight Stays in Their Hometown

Tourism numbers from the New South Wales government paint an interesting picture of who is occupying hotel rooms in Australia’s largest city and who is spending the most cash while doing it.

In 2018, Sydney residents themselves were the ones who spent the most per night on average while staying in booked accommodation in Sydney. In total numbers, they were outspent only by international tourists from China and domestic visitors from Victoria, who spent AUS$3.4 million and AUS$2 million respectively, compared to the total of AUS$1.8 million spent by Sydneysiders themselves. Sydney residents stayed only 1.9 nights on average in their own city, shorter than any other group surveyed, yet spending the third most in total.

The Age, which reported on the findings, concluded that many Sydney residents were trying to take advantage of leisure activities offered in central Sydney but were unable to get back to their suburban homes due to lack of public transport at night. Other staycationers were attending conferences in the city centre, wanted an easy couple getaway or were in pursuit of online dating opportunities, according to The Age.