Queensland experiences strong growth in domestic and international visitors

International and National Visitor Survey data released this week shows Queensland experienced strong growth in domestic and international visitors, with record highs in visitor expenditure and total visitor numbers over the past year. 

Welcoming the findings that the state out-performed both NSW and Victoria, Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones stated "tourists are spending more than ever before in Queensland. The figures show our strategy to grow Queensland’s tourism industry is working.

“In the year ending September 2018, our share of the cash international tourists spend in Australia grew more than all other states.

“International visitor expenditure grew 11.5% - more than double the Australian rate. We also saw record highs in international visitor numbers, with 2,762,000 visitors spending $5.9 billion in Queensland.”

Minister Jones said China remained Queensland’s largest market for international visitors, adding "around 502,000 Chinese tourists spent a record $1.4 billion in Queensland in the year ending September 2018 – that’s more than 33% growth in expenditure year-on-year.

“We’re working hard to harness the huge growth in the Chinese visitor market.

“That’s why Tourism and Events Queensland recently signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s largest online travel company, Ctrip, ensuring we can continue to drive results."

Minister Jones said a record 22,794,000 domestic visitors spent $17.6 billion in Queensland in the year ending September 2018 – more than 12.5% growth in expenditure year-on-year.

She concluded “domestic visitors flocked to Queensland in record numbers last year and for the third quarter in a row, we grew our market share of visitor expenditure.

“We’re working with tourism operators to develop new tourism experiences and market Queensland to a new generation of visitors."

Queensland experienced record expenditure from several international markets including Singapore ($167.6 million), Canada ($161.9 million) and France ($101.4 million). Record visitation was seen from New Zealand (485,000), Taiwan (82,000) and Canada (63,000).

Chinese visitors in Cairns. Image TTNQ