Published Friday, 07 September, 2007 at 11:10 AM
Minister for Tourism, Fair Trading, Wine Industry Development and Women
The Honourable Margaret Keech
SUNSHINE COAST RECORDS MAJOR INTERNATIONAL TOURISM GROWTH
New figures show a massive $40 million increase in international visitor spending on the Sunshine Coast, Tourism Minister, Margaret Keech, said today.
Mrs Keech said International Visitor Survey results to the year ending June 2007, showed visitor spending in the region was up a whopping 23 per cent to $214 million.
“Visitors are also staying longer,” Mrs Keech said.
“More than 291,400 international visitors stayed 2.8 million visitor nights – or an average of 9.7 nights each - on the Sunshine Coast.
“This represents a 13 percent increase on length of stay on the previous year.
“New Zealanders continued their love affair with the Sunshine Coast, accounting for 35 per cent of all international visitors.
“Tourists visiting from New Zealand increased by 23 per cent to 103,300, while the number of nights they stayed in local accommodation increased by 15 per cent to more than 925,000.”
Mrs Keech said visitors from New Zealand, the UK and Europe accounted for 80 per cent of all international tourists to the Sunshine Coast.
“The United Kingdom remained the Sunshine Coast’s second largest market, growing four per cent to more than 61,000 visitors,” she said.
“Backpackers* accounted for 34 per cent of all international visitors to the Sunshine Coast, with a notable increase in young travellers from Europe.”
Mrs Keech said the Sunshine Coast had grown from a local holiday favourite into an international tourism hotspot.
“These impressive increases are the result of a region focused on strong private and public sector partnerships,” she said.
“Tourism Sunshine Coast continues to work closely with government and industry to improve the tourism experiences on offer.
“The results speak for themselves with the region now offering a diverse range of international tourism-ready products.”
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3225 1005
* Backpackers are defined as visitors who spent at least 25% of nights within a backpacker establishment or hostel.
Mrs Keech said International Visitor Survey results to the year ending June 2007, showed visitor spending in the region was up a whopping 23 per cent to $214 million.
“Visitors are also staying longer,” Mrs Keech said.
“More than 291,400 international visitors stayed 2.8 million visitor nights – or an average of 9.7 nights each - on the Sunshine Coast.
“This represents a 13 percent increase on length of stay on the previous year.
“New Zealanders continued their love affair with the Sunshine Coast, accounting for 35 per cent of all international visitors.
“Tourists visiting from New Zealand increased by 23 per cent to 103,300, while the number of nights they stayed in local accommodation increased by 15 per cent to more than 925,000.”
Mrs Keech said visitors from New Zealand, the UK and Europe accounted for 80 per cent of all international tourists to the Sunshine Coast.
“The United Kingdom remained the Sunshine Coast’s second largest market, growing four per cent to more than 61,000 visitors,” she said.
“Backpackers* accounted for 34 per cent of all international visitors to the Sunshine Coast, with a notable increase in young travellers from Europe.”
Mrs Keech said the Sunshine Coast had grown from a local holiday favourite into an international tourism hotspot.
“These impressive increases are the result of a region focused on strong private and public sector partnerships,” she said.
“Tourism Sunshine Coast continues to work closely with government and industry to improve the tourism experiences on offer.
“The results speak for themselves with the region now offering a diverse range of international tourism-ready products.”
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3225 1005
* Backpackers are defined as visitors who spent at least 25% of nights within a backpacker establishment or hostel.