International tourism shines for Queensland

International visitors to Queensland spent a record $4.7 billion in the state with Brisbane and the Gold Coast recording the biggest rises, according to new figures released by Tourism Research Australia.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the latest International Visitor Survey recorded strong growth in overnight visitor expenditure of 14 per cent while visitor numbers increased by six per cent over the past year.

“International visitors to Queensland spent a record $4.7 billion with 2.3 million international visitors and a nine per cent increase in total nights to 51 million,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“These results show that not only are we attracting more visitors, they are spending more while they are here – and that’s great news for regional communities and jobs.”

Tourism Minister Kate Jones, who recently returned from a tourism mission to China, said maximising growth out of Asia would continue to be a key priority.

“China remains our largest and fastest growing market in terms of expenditure which increased by 45 per cent to $854 million in the year to September,” Minister Jones said.

“Overall, 14 of Queensland’s top 20 international markets recorded increases in overnight visitor expenditure, with the US (up 23%), the UK (up 8%) and New Zealand (up 3%) all recording growth.

“This also reinforces our approach to targeting a balanced portfolio of markets through Tourism and Events Queensland’s marketing activity in both Western and Eastern markets.”

Minister Jones said results showed a strong dispersal of visitors throughout the State which was good news for Queensland’s key tourism regions – with 10 of the 11 regions recording uplifts in visitation, led by Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Tropical North Queensland.

“Brisbane’s visitor expenditure rose by 21 per cent to a record $1.9 billion as the Queensland capital further enhances its global reputation as a destination of choice. Brisbane’s total number of international visitors grew by eight per cent to 1.1 million,” Minister Jones said.

“Similarly, the Gold Coast continues to build its famous for fun reputation with 10 per cent growth and a record $1.1 billion in expenditure. The Gold Coast’s total visitation grew by six per cent to 872,000.

“Tropical North Queensland recorded an 8 per cent rise in expenditure to $986 million which complemented a four per cent uplift in visitors to 756,000.”

Ms Palaszczuk said Queensland continued to forge strong partnerships with China following recent trips by both herself and Ms Jones.

“Through Tourism and Events Queensland this month, we secured new agreements with China Southern and China Eastern and the IRONMAN Asia Pacific Championships for Cairns.”