GOLD COAST IS QUEENSLAND'S NUMBER ONE HOLIDAY DESTINATION

Almost 2.3 million domestic tourists visited the Gold Coast last year, making it Queensland’s number one holiday destination, Tourism Minister Margaret Keech announced today.

Mrs Keech said the latest National Visitor Survey showed an increase of 10.8 per cent in the holiday market on the Gold Coast compared to the previous year.

“This new research cements the Gold Coast’s position as one of Queensland’s most iconic tourism destinations,” she said.

“Tourism Research Australia figures also showed that domestic tourism generated more than $2.8 billion for the region, including airfares and long distance transport costs.

“This makes the Gold Coast the third highest tourism expenditure region in Australia.

“The Gold Coast is a destination perfect for holiday travel with 63 per cent of the region’s domestic market visiting for that reason.

“This accounts for 29 per cent of all domestic holiday visitors to Queensland.”

Mrs Keech said business tourism on the Gold Coast was also on the rise with a 16 per cent boost in business visitors.

“The Gold Coast is growing in reputation as the perfect business tourism destination,” she said.

“Just this week we have seen the first of 6000 Chinese visitors arriving on the Coast for an Amway leadership conference – the largest group of visitors from a single country at any one time.

“This event alone will generate $15 million in expenditure for the Gold Coast.”

Mrs Keech said visitors from within Queensland had also contributed to a strong period for the Coast.

“There has been a 17 per cent increase in holiday visitors from within the State over the past year,” she said.

“Tourism Queensland, in partnership with Gold Coast Tourism, spent almost $2 million on marketing activity in the key target markets of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane during 2006.

“This included a $1.1 million investment in phase two of the Very Gold Coast television commercial and a significant online campaign.”

Gold Coast Tourism CEO, Pavan Bhatia, said the region’s tourism industry was continuing to grow, thanks to strong local partnerships.

“The Gold Coast is fast becoming the premier destination for the perfect business and leisure holiday experience,” Mr Bhatia said.

“By working in partnership with state and local governments as well as Tourism Queensland and industry, we are greatly increasing investment and job opportunities on the Coast.”

Media Contact Jo Gibbons 3224 2007