Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef drives national tourism growth

Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef has outstripped tourism growth in Queensland and Australia with a 15% increase in international visitors in 2012-13.

Commenting on the latest International Visitor Survey, covering the period to year-end June 2013, Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Rob Giason said the region had received double digit growth in all but one of its key international markets with a total of 709,000 visitors.

Giason stated "visitor expenditure grew by 12% to $885 million with an average daily spend of $138 per person per night.

"Our region far outstripped Brisbane's 10% growth and Sydney's 6% growth ensuring we can continue to claim the title of the number one destination in Queensland for holiday visitors as well as Australia's most popular regional holiday destination.

"The China market is continuing along its merry way with a 45% increase to 136,000 visitors taking us closer to our potential of 200,000 by 2015.

"Japan is rebounding with its 96,000 visitors a 10% increase on the previous financial year.

"With this growth we could be in for a very encouraging year end result as those figures will include the peak season for the Japanese market.

"The UK grew by 11% to 87,000 taking it back towards the volume we once enjoyed and I anticipate the work we have done in this market will encourage it to grow further.

"The USA also has rebounded with 11% growth to 83,000 visitors.

"Germany continues to post strong growth, helped by the healthy youth and adventure market, with a 20% increase to 49,000.

"France grew by 15% to 23,000 and Italy by 18% to 13,000 visitors.

"New Zealand was the only market which recorded no growth, but I anticipate this will change as Air New Zealand increases its two direct weekly Auckland flights in 2014 by adding an extra flight from April, increasing to four in June and then five in July.

"This growth in our key international markets has Tropical North Queensland on target to achieve $3.2 billion in tourism expenditure in 2015, further adding value to our $7 million-a-day tourism industry supports 32,000 jobs and many local families."

The findings of the latest International Visitor Survey can be seen at www.tra.gov.au/index.html

Image: Diving on the Great Barrier Reef.

10th November 2011 - GREAT BARRIER REEF TOURISM OPERATORS RECOGNISED FOR GOING THE EXTRA MILE

17th August 2009 - REEF TOURISM STRATEGY TO TACKLE A CHANGING CLIMATE