INTERNATIONAL VISITORS GO ON QUEENSLAND SPENDING SPREE

International visitor spending in Queensland has jumped by more than $370 million, according to new figures announced by Tourism Minister Margaret Keech today.

Mrs Keech said the 13 per cent increase took total expenditure by international visitors in Queensland to more than $3.2 billion in the year ending March 2007.

She said the latest International Visitor Survey results were good news for Queensland’s tourism industry.

“This $372 million increase in expenditure comes on the back of a three per cent boost in international visitor numbers and visitor nights since March 2006,” Mrs Keech said.

“These excellent results are proof that the Beattie Government’s efforts in key international markets are working.

“Over the past year we have established new offices and marketing initiatives in key international markets.

“That work has been supported by the launch of new international language websites and international market strategy discussion documents.

“Tourism is Queensland’s second largest export market and the latest survey results show that the Beattie Government is delivering real economic returns for the people of this state.”

Mrs Keech said she was also encouraged by the strong growth in key existing and emerging markets.

“Under the Beattie Government’s Queensland Tourism Strategy (QTS), significant work has been undertaken in the emerging markets of China, Korea and India,” she said.

“Korea has been the real success story of the past year.

“This market has grown by more than 46 per cent to contribute more than $177 million (excluding package expenditure) to local tourism industries.

“This is closely followed by China which grew by more than 29 per cent to contribute $92 million (excluding package expenditure) to the state’s economy.

“The relatively new market of India grew significantly from a small base of $18 million (excluding package expenditure) to become a $30 million economic contributor.

“The strength of the Australian dollar has no doubt impacted on an already soft Japanese market so it is encouraging to see our work in the major emerging markets returning very encouraging results.

“The strongest of the Western markets was the USA, which grew by 36 per cent ($276 million excluding package expenditure) and Europe, which grew by more than 24 per cent ($426 million excluding package expenditure).”

Mrs Keech said the Government recently invested more than $2 million in hosting one of the world’s largest tourism trade shows, Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), to ensure continued international tourism growth.

“The Beattie Government is dedicated to the state’s tourism industry and through Tourism Queensland we will continue to invest in programs which ensure strong economic returns and more job opportunities for Queensland communities,” Mrs Keech said.

Media Contact: Jo Gibbons 3225 1005 / 0439 761 416