Queensland tourism soars with extra international flights

The Palaszczuk Government is cashing in on the lower Australian dollar to attract more tourist-laden international flights into Queensland.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said over the last 12 months, additional flights from seven airlines into Brisbane, Cairns and Gold Coast have been secured, was expected to bring an extra 187,000 visitors and offer up to $255 million in extra economic activity each year.

"These extra flights will mean the equivalent Townsville’s population will fly into Queensland. It means up to 3600 extra visitors and almost $5 million for our economy every week," the Premier said.

"In Cairns, the extra flights are a vital boost to local businesses and confidence."

"Our $10 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund is paying off. It's not just more tourists and jobs for Queensland, it's strengthening our links through trade, education and investment."

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Kate Jones said securing more international flights to Queensland was crucial to growing the State's $23 billion tourism industry.

"Our fastest growing and highest spending market, China, has seen growth of 45 per cent to $854 million in the year to September 2015," she said.

"More flights from China will come online this year supporting this growth. "That means more tourists filling Queensland hotels, cafes and restaurants, greater tourism spend in regional centres and more jobs for Queenslanders."