Queensland tourism growth outpaces the nation

Queensland tourism growth has outperformed the nation with a huge boost in Australian visitors to the state, Minister for Tourism and Major Events Kate Jones said today.

Ms Jones said the latest Tourism Research Australia figures showed domestic overnight expenditure in Queensland increased 5.5 per cent to a record $14.6 billion while domestic overnight numbers increased to a record 20.3 million in the 12 months to March 2016.

“More Australians are choosing to visit Queensland than ever before,” she said.

“Queensland is emerging as the shining star in the Australian tourism landscape as we begin to focus on the huge range of unmatched experiences people can only enjoy right here.

“In the year to March 2016, the number of Australians visiting Queensland grew nine percent while New South Wales grew six percent and Victoria seven percent.”

Ms Jones said the number of Australian visitors to Queensland increased across all measures.

“We saw strong increases in holiday visitors (12.3 percent), visiting friends or relatives (8.9 percent) and business (6.1 percent),” she said.

“We are also seeing confidence continue to rise in the commercial sector with 4.5 million business travellers bringing an extra $500 million into the state.”

Ms Jones said Queensland’s tourism growth was led by impressive results from Tropical North Queensland.

“Tropical North Queensland saw a 43 percent increase in holiday visitors to 1.1 million, 33.5 percent increase in total visitors to 2.2 million and 18.8 percent increase in total visitor nights to 10.5 million,” she said.

“Total domestic expenditure in the Far North climbed 35.5 percent to $2.3 billion and the region welcomed an extra 552,000 visitors.

“The Whitsundays also saw strong growth with total visitors and expenditure up 11 percent.”

The Gold Coast and Brisbane enjoyed solid growth in total visitors. The Gold Coast was up 10 percent in total visitors to 3.7 million and Brisbane by 7.4 per cent to 5.7 million, with a 14.4 percent increase in holiday visitors to 1.5 million.

Media: Matt Jutsum 0408 998 940