Queenslanders holidaying at home drive domestic tourism results

The Newman Government’s plans to get Queensland’s tourism industry back on track are progressing with Tourism Research Australia’s latest National Visitor Survey revealing strong growth throughout the State.

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said the number of Queenslander’s holidaying at home has increased nine per cent to 5.2 million.

“Through our DestinationQ action plan we are working to revitalise tourism right across the State and the latest results show visitors and staying longer and spending more,” Ms Stuckey said.

“This is a great state with great opportunity and this survey shows the rest of Australia understands that as well.”

Ms Stuckey said more than 7.6 million Australians holidayed in Queensland in the year to September 2012, spending $6.4 billion on their visits; increases of seven and nine per cent on the previous year.

“We understand the tourism industry is facing some tough challenges, so it is great to see more Australians rekindling their love of a home-grown holiday in Queensland,” she said.

“Overall, 18 million Australians visited Queensland in the year to September 2012, up five per cent, and spent $13.5 billion which is 12 per cent or $1.4 billion more than during the previous year.”

The latest figures also show significant increases in the number of Queenslanders visiting friends and family. That is up 20 per cent to 4.6 million in the year to September 2012. 

In other results, southern holiday makers in Melbourne and Sydney are continuing to opt for a Queensland break, with the figures showing increases of 11 per cent and five per cent respectively.

While our capital city felt a decline in business-related travel, the number of Brisbane residents holidaying in the State increased 16 per cent and, importantly, Queensland has maintained its mantle as the most popular interstate holiday destination for longer trips of four nights or more.

Ms Stuckey said domestic day-trips also increased by 16 per cent to almost 40 million over the year to September 2012.

“Unlike Labor which neglected tourism, we have adopted a whole-of-Government approach that puts tourism front-of-mind for all Ministers and departments,” she said.

National Visitor Survey information for Queensland regions can be found at www.tq.com.au/research

[ENDS] 12 December 2012

Media Contacts: Minister’s Office: 3224 2004    Tourism Queensland:  3535 5474