INTERNATIONAL VISITORS STAYING LONGER ON THE GOLD COAST
Published Friday, 07 September, 2007 at 11:07 AM
Minister for Tourism, Fair Trading, Wine Industry Development and Women
The Honourable Margaret Keech
New figures show international visitor spending on the Gold Coast has climbed to $794 million – an increase of nine per cent, Tourism Minister, Margaret Keech, said today.
Mrs Keech said the time spent by international tourists on the Gold Coast also increased by more than seven per cent to 7.4 million visitor nights according to the latest International Visitor Survey results.
Each international visitor stayed an average of nine nights according to results for the year ending June 2007, she said.
“New Zealand remained the Gold Coast’s largest international market, accounting for 26 per cent of all international visitors to the region,” said Mrs Keech.
“Over the past year, New Zealand visitors increased by 12 per cent to more than 219,000, while the amount of nights they stayed increased by 20 per cent to nearly two million.
“Visitors from the UK increased to more than 69,000, while their average length of stay increased by 26 per cent to nearly 12 nights.”
Mrs Keech said strong growth from the emerging tourism market of China elevated it to the Gold Coast’s third largest international source market.
“China now represents more than 10 per cent (82,400 tourists) of all international visitors to the region. This growing market increased by four per cent over the year,” she said.
“Japan remained the Gold Coast’s second largest international tourist market, but continued to soften in line with national trends.
“The average length of stay by Japanese tourists increased to an average of 8.1 nights.
“Total business tourism nights grew significantly by over 34 per cent to 236,000.”
Mrs Keech said the strong Gold Coast results were consistent with significant state increases.
“Almost 2.2 million international visitors came to Queensland over the past year, spending more than 35.7 million visitor nights, a 12 per cent annual increase,” she said.
“The Beattie Government is dedicated to increasing international tourism to Queensland.
“These excellent results demonstrate that the work being undertaken internationally on a tourism and trade level by the Queensland Government is delivering real economic and employment opportunities for Queenslanders.”
Mrs Keech commended Tourism Queensland and Gold Coast Tourism for the close working partnership they have to implement new international marketing and development opportunities.
“They have invested significantly in partnering with industry to drive visitation from the emerging markets of Korea, China and India, while securing established markets including the UK, USA and Japan,” she said.
“The latest research results prove that this work is paying dividends for local tourism operators.”
Media Contact: Peter McCarthy 3225 1005
Mrs Keech said the time spent by international tourists on the Gold Coast also increased by more than seven per cent to 7.4 million visitor nights according to the latest International Visitor Survey results.
Each international visitor stayed an average of nine nights according to results for the year ending June 2007, she said.
“New Zealand remained the Gold Coast’s largest international market, accounting for 26 per cent of all international visitors to the region,” said Mrs Keech.
“Over the past year, New Zealand visitors increased by 12 per cent to more than 219,000, while the amount of nights they stayed increased by 20 per cent to nearly two million.
“Visitors from the UK increased to more than 69,000, while their average length of stay increased by 26 per cent to nearly 12 nights.”
Mrs Keech said strong growth from the emerging tourism market of China elevated it to the Gold Coast’s third largest international source market.
“China now represents more than 10 per cent (82,400 tourists) of all international visitors to the region. This growing market increased by four per cent over the year,” she said.
“Japan remained the Gold Coast’s second largest international tourist market, but continued to soften in line with national trends.
“The average length of stay by Japanese tourists increased to an average of 8.1 nights.
“Total business tourism nights grew significantly by over 34 per cent to 236,000.”
Mrs Keech said the strong Gold Coast results were consistent with significant state increases.
“Almost 2.2 million international visitors came to Queensland over the past year, spending more than 35.7 million visitor nights, a 12 per cent annual increase,” she said.
“The Beattie Government is dedicated to increasing international tourism to Queensland.
“These excellent results demonstrate that the work being undertaken internationally on a tourism and trade level by the Queensland Government is delivering real economic and employment opportunities for Queenslanders.”
Mrs Keech commended Tourism Queensland and Gold Coast Tourism for the close working partnership they have to implement new international marketing and development opportunities.
“They have invested significantly in partnering with industry to drive visitation from the emerging markets of Korea, China and India, while securing established markets including the UK, USA and Japan,” she said.
“The latest research results prove that this work is paying dividends for local tourism operators.”
Media Contact: Peter McCarthy 3225 1005