Business was among the primary drivers of growth in international visitor numbers but major events, including Ironman in Port Macquarie, were among the premier drawcards in Destination NSW's tourism campaign.

NSW has continued its reign as Australia's premier tourism state recording its highest ever volume of international visitors, nights and expenditure, edging towards $11 billion, according to the latest round of International Visitor Survey (IVS) results.

Destination NSW CEO Sandra Chipchase said that in the year ending December 2018 NSW received nearly 4.4 million visitors (+3.0 per cent) who stayed 96.2 million nights (+2.4 per cent) and spent $10.7 billion (+4.3 per cent).

"NSW is the leading State and accounted for 51.3 per cent of all international visitors to Australia, 35.1 per cent of all nights and 35.5 per cent of all expenditure," Ms Chipchase said.

"NSW is the top destination for ten of the top fifteen source markets to Australia namely, China, USA, United Kingdom, Korea, Hong Kong, Germany, Indonesia, Taiwan, Canada, and France.

"China continues to be the biggest inbound international market for NSW while the Japanese market is the fastest growing (up 28,700, +17.1 per cent).

"Education, holidays and visiting friends and relatives were the key drivers of visitation and expenditure growth.

"I'm proud of the consistent and continual year on year growth in visitor numbers, nights and expenditure in NSW as a direct result of the work being done by Destination NSW in partnership with industry and Government across marketing campaigns, partnerships and major event acquisition and development.

"Our State is home to iconic landmarks, beautiful beaches, amazing festivals and events, fantastic tourist attractions, a world-class food, wine and bespoke beverage scene and unbeatable hospitality so it's no wonder international visitors keep coming and returning to NSW."

NSW leads Victoria by 1.3 million international visitors (44 per cent higher than VIC), 23.3 million nights (32 per cent higher) and $2.3 billion in expenditure (27 per cent higher). NSW leads Queensland by 1.6 million visitors (58 per cent higher than QLD), 41.2 million nights (75 per cent higher) and $4.7 billion in expenditure (79 per cent higher).

Regional NSW received 870,500 international visitors (+2.0 per cent) who stayed 14.9 million nights (+1.4 per cent) and spent over $1 billion. Four NSW regions received their highest number of international visitors on record; Canberra surrounds region, Central Coast, the Hunter and South Coast.