BRISBANE LEADS STATE IN INTERNATIONAL TOURISM GROWTH

Brisbane is Queensland’s number one international visitor destination according to the latest International Visitor Survey (IVS) results, says Tourism Minister Margaret Keech.

Mrs Keech said Brisbane saw a four per cent increase in international visitors and a 23 per cent increase in visitor nights in the year ending December 2006.

There were just over 900,000 international visitors to Brisbane in 2006, up from 866,581 the previous year.

“These healthy results were driven by a six per cent increase in the holiday market and a 31 per cent increase in holiday visitor nights,” Mrs Keech said.

“Brisbane holds a 41 per cent share of Queensland’s international visitor market.

“International visitor growth has also been driven by strong increases from important source markets such as the United Kingdom, up 10 per cent, Japan, up 23 per cent and China, up 25 per cent.

“Brisbane is Australia’s fastest growing capital city and continued investment in tourism infrastructure has seen its appeal grow significantly over the past few years.

“The city is no longer just a gateway to Queensland, but a legitimate tourism destination boasting some of Queensland’s most unique tourism experiences.

“From the city to Moreton Bay and the Scenic Rim, there is so much for visitors to discover.

“International tourism injected $974 million into Brisbane’s economy in the last calendar year, which is a tremendous increase of 32 per cent.”

Mrs Keech said the development of the Queensland Tourism Strategy was dedicated to increasing the economic returns of tourism for Queensland.

“The State Government is fulfilling a key election promise in hosting the southern hemisphere’s biggest international tourism trade event, the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE),” she said.

“This QTS initiative will be held in Brisbane and will only increase the international focus on Brisbane.”

Media Contact: Jo Gibbons 3224 2007 or David Smith 3225 1005