Published Friday, 07 December, 2007 at 12:16 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Queenslanders have 3.7 billion reasons to love international tourists
International visitors spent $3.73 billion in Queensland last year, more than $298 million - or 9 per cent – more than in the previous 12 months, Tourism Minister Desley Boyle announced today.
Ms Boyle said the increase in spending came on the back of a 10 per cent annual increase in the number of international visitor nights and a 2 per cent increase in overall international visitors.
“These fantastic results are being driven by our trans-Tasman neighbours,” Ms Boyle said.
“New Zealand remains Queensland’s largest international market - up 8 per cent over the past year to 427,000 people and spending an additional $49 million to $551 million.
“The United Kingdom remained Queensland’s third largest international market, increasing by 1 per cent to 286,800 visitors who increased their spending by $50 million to $530 million.
“Another standout performer for Queensland was China. The number of Chinese visitors to Queensland increased by 13 per cent to 149,000 people and their spending increasing by $35 million to $150 million.
“China is one of the Queensland tourism industry’s most important future markets and these great results are a testament to the hard work being undertaken by Tourism Queensland.”
Ms Boyle said Australia was still experiencing a softening of visitors from Japan and while Japan remained Queensland’s second largest source market, visitor numbers fell by 11 per cent.
“Tourism Queensland has been working closely with major airlines to increase affordable access from Japan as well as undertaking a large range of media and marketing initiatives,” she said.
“The good news is that Queensland is not reliant on one international market and we have 14 Tourism Queensland international offices marketing and promoting the state extensively worldwide.”
Queensland International Visitor Snapshot for the year ended September 2007:
• Total expenditure: $3.73 billion, up $298 million or 9%
• Average spend per person per night: $103
• Average spend per person per trip: $1706
• Total international visitors: 2,184,300 people, up 2%
• Nights Stayed: 36,180,100, up 10%
• Average length-of-stay: 16.6 nights, up from 15.2 nights
• Total number of leisure visitor nights: 25,817,000,up 14%
• Number of business visitors: 199,700, up 8%
• Number of visiting friends and relatives: 458,400, up 7%
Ends
Media contacts:
Minister Boyle: 3224 2004
Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010
7 December 2007
Ms Boyle said the increase in spending came on the back of a 10 per cent annual increase in the number of international visitor nights and a 2 per cent increase in overall international visitors.
“These fantastic results are being driven by our trans-Tasman neighbours,” Ms Boyle said.
“New Zealand remains Queensland’s largest international market - up 8 per cent over the past year to 427,000 people and spending an additional $49 million to $551 million.
“The United Kingdom remained Queensland’s third largest international market, increasing by 1 per cent to 286,800 visitors who increased their spending by $50 million to $530 million.
“Another standout performer for Queensland was China. The number of Chinese visitors to Queensland increased by 13 per cent to 149,000 people and their spending increasing by $35 million to $150 million.
“China is one of the Queensland tourism industry’s most important future markets and these great results are a testament to the hard work being undertaken by Tourism Queensland.”
Ms Boyle said Australia was still experiencing a softening of visitors from Japan and while Japan remained Queensland’s second largest source market, visitor numbers fell by 11 per cent.
“Tourism Queensland has been working closely with major airlines to increase affordable access from Japan as well as undertaking a large range of media and marketing initiatives,” she said.
“The good news is that Queensland is not reliant on one international market and we have 14 Tourism Queensland international offices marketing and promoting the state extensively worldwide.”
Queensland International Visitor Snapshot for the year ended September 2007:
• Total expenditure: $3.73 billion, up $298 million or 9%
• Average spend per person per night: $103
• Average spend per person per trip: $1706
• Total international visitors: 2,184,300 people, up 2%
• Nights Stayed: 36,180,100, up 10%
• Average length-of-stay: 16.6 nights, up from 15.2 nights
• Total number of leisure visitor nights: 25,817,000,up 14%
• Number of business visitors: 199,700, up 8%
• Number of visiting friends and relatives: 458,400, up 7%
Ends
Media contacts:
Minister Boyle: 3224 2004
Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010
7 December 2007