Record visitor numbers deliver for the Whitsundays

Tourism in The Whitsundays has broken all records this year, with National Visitor Survey (NVS) data released today revealing a record 923,000 domestic visitors, who spent $1.5billion dollars in The Whitsundays, an increase of 179% on 2019 data.

With the region offering a wide variety of experiences available and unique location, visitors to The Whitsundays stayed a total of 4.9 million nights in the year to 30th September 2022, an increase of 73% based on 2019 figures.

Welcoming the newly-released figures, Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive, Rick Hamilton stated “select domestic markets have always known about the attraction of The Whitsundays, but the growth we are seeing in domestic visitation shows that more of Australia is now familiar and confident about this unique holiday experience.

“These results once again underline the significant contribution tourism makes here. As a region we rely on tourism for 1 in 3 jobs. We have world-class operators, accommodation options and businesses all working   to deliver outstanding holidays to vacationers in The Whitsundays, whatever their budget.”

Tourism Research Australia’s latest NVS shows that while there has been a record increase in interstate travellers, 274,000 up 18.9% on 2019, it is Queenslanders who are making up 69% of visitors.

Noting these numbers, Hamilton added “it is encouraging to see more of Australia discovering and experiencing The Whitsundays because we can compete with anywhere in the world for the range of experiences, unique attractions and location.

“However, Queenslanders are taking advantage of The Whitsundays, which is right on their doorstep.”

Tourism Whitsundays Chair, Julie Telford added “Queensland is such a diverse State and travelling within its border can take you through the rainforest, outback, surf beaches and the wonderful Whitsundays by car, bus, train, plane and boat. It’s no wonder we’ve seen so many Queenslanders rediscover their love of The Whitsundays.

“Visitors are staying an average of 5.2 nights this year, increasing almost a day compared to results from March 2022 because there’s so much to do and enjoy in The Whitsundays that every minute of that time can be booked onto a different experience.”

The Whitsundays is the most tourism-reliant area in Queensland with one in three jobs directly related to tourism, and 40% of all visitation to the Great Barrier Reef departing from within the region.

Click here for more information on National Visitation Survey data.

Image courtesy of Red Cat Adventures.