New Research Identifies Emerging Tourism Trends for NSW

New research commissioned by Destination NSW has identified changing travel habits that could shape the state’s visitor economy over the next decade, including demand for quieter holidays, digital detoxes, short spontaneous trips and lower-cost luxury experiences.

The report, Future Demand – Unlocking NSW Visitor Economy Growth, was presented at the NSW Visitor Economy Forum 2026 at ICC Sydney on 9 November, attended by more than 500 tourism industry leaders, researchers and decision-makers.

Seven Trends Expected to Shape Future Travel

The research was conducted by FiftyFive5, part of Accenture Song, and examines social, cultural, economic, lifestyle and technological factors that may influence domestic travel through to 2035.

It identifies seven broad trends:

• Reassured travel: travellers favouring familiar, verified and predictable experiences
• Actual intelligence: greater interest in reading, making, conversation, nature and activities away from screens
• Mirror travel: trips built around niche interests, hobbies and personal passions
• Poles apart: growing demand at both ends of the market, from highly curated luxury travel to budget-focused “travel hacking”
• Travel prescription: more active and nature-based trips linked to health and wellbeing
• Time travel: nostalgia-driven travel and revisiting destinations associated with childhood
• Heat is on: changing travel plans in response to hotter temperatures and climate conditions.

The findings suggest travellers are increasingly looking for either greater rest and disconnection or more highly personalised experiences, rather than relying solely on traditional destination-based holidays.

‘Quietcations’ and ‘Roomrotting’ Among Emerging Behaviours

The report also identifies a series of newer travel terms reflecting changing consumer preferences.

Among surveyed travellers:

• 41% expressed interest in “quietcations”, focused on peaceful and uncrowded destinations
• 41% were interested in being “bougie on a budget”, seeking premium experiences at lower prices
• 38% were drawn to “roomrotting”, where much of the trip is deliberately spent resting
• 34% were interested in “gentle adventuring”, offering activity without significant risk
• 31% wanted “analogue travel”, involving time away from screens
• 25% were considering short “microvacations”
• 25% showed interest in “coolcations” in cooler destinations
• 24% were interested in astronomy and dark-sky experiences.

The report also points to smaller celebratory trips, or “mini-stones”, as another potential growth area.

NSW Visitor Spending Reaches $62.9 Billion

The research comes as NSW records continued growth in visitor spending.

Destination NSW, citing Tourism Research Australia data for the year ending June 2026, reported 130.6 million domestic and international visitors, up 5.1% from the previous year.

Those visitors spent a record $62.9 billion, an increase of 12.8%, and generated 225.7 million visitor nights.

Nationally, Tourism Research Australia recorded $200.6 billion in visitor spending across domestic day trips, domestic overnight travel and international travel in the same period.

TRA introduced a new Domestic Tourism Statistics collection in January 2025, replacing the former National Visitor Survey, and advises caution when comparing some domestic results across the methodological change.

Tourism Industry Looking Beyond Traditional Holidays

Destination NSW says the research will be used to help tourism operators and destinations identify opportunities as visitor expectations change.

Potential areas include wellness and nature-based tourism, low-tech or screen-free experiences, astronomy tourism, nostalgia-driven travel and products targeting travellers seeking short or lower-cost breaks.

The research forms part of the broader NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, which sets out the state’s long-term approach to tourism growth.

Rather than predicting one dominant type of traveller, the report suggests the market is becoming more fragmented, with consumers increasingly seeking trips tailored to their budget, interests, lifestyle and preferred level of activity.