Summer-loving Aussies are fuelling a boon for hospitality businesses, with an 80% spending surge in key tourism hotspots. 

The summer spending spike is estimated to be worth an extra $84 million to local economies, according to new NAB analysis. 

Restaurants and retail saw the biggest overall spending increases as Australians took the opportunity to hit the road, head away for a holiday, and dine out in recent weeks.

The top holiday hotspots were identified by analysing a sample of almost 500,000 merchant terminal transactions in the popular beach towns in the fortnight when millions of Aussies visited compared to a normal two-week period.

NAB Executive, Metro and Specialised Business Julie Rynski said: “Millions of Aussies are in holiday mode and enjoying a well-deserved break. The mass exodus from capital cities to holiday hotspots is crucial for smaller, local economies.

“While visitors enjoy beach days and summer reads, business owners in these areas are often at their busiest as the population of holiday hotspots swell. This peak period contributes to much of their annual turnover as the increases in accommodation, hospitality and service station spending show.”

Rynski said the boost in trade meant more shifts for seasonal staff and more orders for suppliers.

Jervis Bay Distilling Co Founder and Head Distiller Robert Bartlett said: “Summer is by far our busiest season. Locals and visitors alike flock to the cellar door, and orders from local venues really spike.

“We bring on extra hands and pull together as a team to keep up with demand. There’s such a great energy in town – people are relaxed, happy and enjoying themselves.

“It’s a buzz to be part of their holiday, and we love helping create those great summer memories.”