Queensland cements position as ‘Home of the Holiday’ as visitor records smashed

• Queensland welcomed 2.4 million international visitors in the year ending December 2025, with visitors injecting a record $7.5 billion into the Queensland economy.
• More than half a million New Zealanders visited Queensland over the year, spending nearly a billion dollars.
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering - through Destination 2045 - to cement Queensland as the home of the holiday, after a decade of decline under Labor. 

The Crisafulli Government is securing Queensland as the home of the holiday and marking a defining moment in the Destination 2045 tourism plan, with international investors injecting a record $7.5 billion into the Queensland economy last year. 

The latest data from Tourism Research Australia for the year ending December 2025 showed the state’s visitor economy outperformed the national average. 

Queensland welcomed 2.4 million international visitors (up 9.8 per cent) including 1.4 million holidaymakers (up 10.3 per cent) who spent a record $3.6 billion (up 29.7 per cent). 

New Zealand recorded 508,000 visitors, with the Kiwi visitors spending a record $990.4 million, reinforcing their position as Queensland’s largest international source market. 

Queensland’s other top international markets by visitor expenditure were China ($1.3 billion), the United Kingdom (record $658.2 million), Japan ($525.7 million) and the United States ($502.4 million), with Taiwan (record $302.4m) and France (record $193.2m) also reaching record levels. 

Blockbuster events during the period, such as the 2025 British and Irish Lions tour and the Ashes test cricket match in Brisbane, contributed to the record-breaking UK numbers.  

Brisbane and the Gold Coast were the state’s top two destinations for international visitor spend with Tropical North Queensland coming in at number three and the strongest regional performer with a record $1.2 billion plus visitation growing above average to reach 622,000. 

Domestic tourism remained an important part of Queensland’s visitor economy during the period with total visitor expenditure reaching $36.9 billion which came on the back of growth that was above the national average and supported by robust day trip activity. 

The Crisafulli Government has a long-term plan to ensure Queensland remains the home of the holiday - through Destination 2045 - after the former Labor Government planned to slash tourism funding, which would have left Queensland without new tourism products, without major events growth, and without the confidence our operators need to invest. 

Minister for Tourism Andrew Powell said the latest surge in international visitation confirmed the Crisafulli Government's long-term tourism roadmap was delivering exactly as intended. 

“Queensland’s reputation as a premier holiday destination is resonating globally,” Minister Powell said. 

“Destination 2045 charts a path for Queensland to lead global tourism with unforgettable experiences, stronger economies, and better connections for visitors.