Published Friday, 07 September, 2007 at 11:00 AM
Minister for Tourism, Fair Trading, Wine Industry Development and Women
The Honourable Margaret Keech
INTERNATIONAL VISITORS SPEND MORE THAN $1 BILLION IN BRISBANE
Brisbane continues to attract more international visitors and expenditure than any other Queensland region according to the latest International Visitor Survey results released today, Tourism Minister, Margaret Keech, said.
Mrs Keech said in the year ending June 2007, international visitor spending in Brisbane increased by 22 per cent to more than $1 billion.
“Over the past year more than 930,000 international tourists visited Brisbane - a 9 per cent increase,” Mrs Keech said.
“This is supported by an 11 per cent increase in international visitor nights (12.4 million).
“Holiday and business travellers were a major contributor to the strong growth.
“Tourists visiting specifically for a holiday increased by 12 per cent, while the number of international business visitors increased by 23 per cent.”
Mrs Keech said the strong results were due to increases in visitors and spending from traditional and emerging markets.
“Under the Queensland Tourism Strategy, significant work has been done on a state and regional level to drive tourism from new markets such as China, Korea and India,” she said.
“The latest results show China is now Brisbane’s third largest international market, increasing by 33 per cent to 77,000 visitors over the past year.
“New Zealand remains the region’s largest international tourism market with visitation up four per cent to 165,000 and visitor nights increasing by a significant 30 per cent to 1.4 million.
“There was also a healthy increase in visitors from the US, up by five per cent; Germany up by seven per cent; and the UK up by nine per cent.”
Mrs Keech said new tourism operators and investment in tourism infrastructure underpinned the significant growth in international visitors to Brisbane.
“Brisbane no longer stands in the shadows of other major Australian capital cities, it is now a true international tourism destination,” she said.
“The Beattie Government is dedicated to the state’s tourism industry and we will continue to invest in programs which ensure strong economic returns and more job opportunities for Brisbane and Queensland.”
Media Contact: Peter McCarthy 3225 1005
Mrs Keech said in the year ending June 2007, international visitor spending in Brisbane increased by 22 per cent to more than $1 billion.
“Over the past year more than 930,000 international tourists visited Brisbane - a 9 per cent increase,” Mrs Keech said.
“This is supported by an 11 per cent increase in international visitor nights (12.4 million).
“Holiday and business travellers were a major contributor to the strong growth.
“Tourists visiting specifically for a holiday increased by 12 per cent, while the number of international business visitors increased by 23 per cent.”
Mrs Keech said the strong results were due to increases in visitors and spending from traditional and emerging markets.
“Under the Queensland Tourism Strategy, significant work has been done on a state and regional level to drive tourism from new markets such as China, Korea and India,” she said.
“The latest results show China is now Brisbane’s third largest international market, increasing by 33 per cent to 77,000 visitors over the past year.
“New Zealand remains the region’s largest international tourism market with visitation up four per cent to 165,000 and visitor nights increasing by a significant 30 per cent to 1.4 million.
“There was also a healthy increase in visitors from the US, up by five per cent; Germany up by seven per cent; and the UK up by nine per cent.”
Mrs Keech said new tourism operators and investment in tourism infrastructure underpinned the significant growth in international visitors to Brisbane.
“Brisbane no longer stands in the shadows of other major Australian capital cities, it is now a true international tourism destination,” she said.
“The Beattie Government is dedicated to the state’s tourism industry and we will continue to invest in programs which ensure strong economic returns and more job opportunities for Brisbane and Queensland.”
Media Contact: Peter McCarthy 3225 1005