Millions of International Visitors choose Queensland

The Government is delivering on its election promise to grow tourism as one of the four pillars of the economy, with new figures revealing Queensland has become a popular destination for international visitors.

Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey said the latest Tourism Research Australia International Visitor Survey showed a two per cent increase to two million international visitors, while total nights have increased by four per cent to 46 million.

“This is great news for our economy with international expenditure in Queensland increasing by four per cent to $4 billion,” Ms Stuckey said.

“These results prove the Queensland Government’s investment in tourism is paying off, after Labor ignored the sector for so many years.

“While New Zealand continues to be Queensland’s largest market with 384,000 visitors, China remained our fastest growing and largest international market by visitor expenditure. The state welcomed an additional 42,000 Chinese visitors, spending $605 million on trips to Queensland in 2013.

“Overall visitation from Asia increased six per cent to 814,000 visitors who spent $1.7 billion in Queensland during the year to December 2013.

“Queensland saw significant increases in visitors from Asia, with the largest growth from India (up 37%), followed by China (up 16%), Taiwan (up 18%), Malaysia (up 9%), Singapore (up 11%) and Hong Kong (up 4%).”

Mr Stuckey said total visitors to Queensland from the United Kingdom were also up 10 per cent resulting in an additional $67 million in overnight visitor expenditure for our state.

“Tropical North Queensland proved to be a popular holiday destination for international travellers in 2013, hosting 627,000 holidaymakers - an increase of 6 per cent on the year prior,” she said.

“The Whitsundays had Queensland’s highest percentage increase of total international visitors (up 10%) with strong growth from the European market driven by a 71 per cent increase in visitors from France.

“As the Member for Currumbin, I am proud to acknowledge international visitors to the Gold Coast grew seven per cent to 792,000 in 2013.”

Ms Stuckey said Queensland’s increase in international holiday travel put Queensland in the top two performing states.

“These figures show real confidence in the tourism sector,” she said.

“Our 20-year plan for tourism, Destination Success, will continue to build on this momentum, ensuring a strong and prosperous tourism industry for Queensland.”

[ENDS] 30 April 2014

Media Contact: Danyelle Nolan 0408 410 930