International travellers spent record $4.4 billion in Queensland

Queensland

The latest Tourism Research Australia figures show international visitors spent a record $4.4 billion in Queensland in the year to March 2015.

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Kate Jones said the record visitor spend represented an 11 per cent increase or $421 million more than compared with the year prior.

“The latest International Visitor Survey revealed 2.2 million international visitors stayed 48.5 million nights in Queensland in the year to March, increases of seven and five per cent respectively,” Ms Jones said.

Ms Jones said international travel increased to all Queensland destinations including the Sunshine Coast (up 14%), Whitsundays (up 13%), Tropical North Queensland and Brisbane (up 7%) and Gold Coast (up 6%).

“It’s great to see more international visitors travelling to Queensland, dispersing throughout the State and spending more on their trips,” she said.

“Queensland’s top five international markets all recorded increases in visitor spending led by China (up 27% to $767 million), followed by New Zealand (up 11% to $535 million), the UK (up 5% to $458 million), Japan (up 6% to $306 million) and the USA (up 18% to $296 million).”

Ms Jones said the Palaszczuk Government was determined to grow tourism in Queensland – a $23 billion industry which supports local economies and more than 200,000 jobs.

“The 2015-16 State Budget has delivered more than $400 million in funding for Queensland tourism over the next four years,” she said.

“Securing new flights such as the Jetstar Wuhan – Gold Coast service and the commencement of Qantas’ Tokyo – Brisbane flights this weekend, as well as major international events including the World Science Festival will assist in further attracting international travellers to Queensland.”