- New data released reveals Queensland is dominating nation's holiday market
- Queensland's tourism industry reached a record $33.2 billion in overnight visitor spending in the last financial year
- Tourism Research Australia has released the new figures on World Tourism Day
- More than three quarters (76%) of tourism dollars were spent in regional Queensland
New data has shown tourism records continue to be broken by the Sunshine State.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk joined local MPs in Cairns to celebrate the latest industry data from Tourism Research Australia which shows Queensland continues to dominate the country's holiday market.
The industry was worth a record $33.2 billion in overnight visitor spending in the year ending June 2023.
Figures show Queensland is Australia's dominant holiday state, holding the majority share of the domestic holiday market, while also achieving record spend by domestic business travellers in the last financial year.
Queensland is also ahead of the national average in recovering international visitor expenditure.
In regional Queensland, where three quarters (76 per cent) of tourism dollars are spent, the industry employs as many as 1 in 3 Queenslanders.
This latest data shows Tropical North Queensland welcomed a record number of domestic visitors in the past year, as did the Gold Coast, while Mackay and Outback Queensland enjoyed record domestic visitor spending.
Townsville was a leader of the state's international recovery, being the only region where visitation in the first half of 2023 exceeded pre-COVID-19 levels.
Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:
"It's little wonder so many people want to come and holiday in the Sunshine State, when we have everything from the reef to the rainforest and the ocean to the Outback.
"$33.2 billion is a huge injection for the Queensland economy and we know more than ¾ of that was spent in our regional communities.
"Records continue to tumble as more visitors come to Queensland but we know that number an be even higher.
"Airline prices shouldn't be a barrier for people wanting to come and enjoy our beautiful state so I'd really love to see those providers bring their prices down."
Quotes attributable to the Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe:
"These terrific results show the continued hard work and commitment of Queensland tourism operators to build back better post-pandemic and shine on the national and international stage.
"What we're seeing with overseas visitor spending puts the $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund on track to generate $1.6 billion a year and 20,000 Queensland jobs.
"World Tourism Day aligns perfectly with the Towards Tourism 2032 roadmap's commitment to sustainability and growing Queensland First Nations' cultural experiences.
"Through the Year of Accessible Tourism, we're backing tourism operators to create opportunities for travellers of all-abilities to share more of Queensland's great lifestyle."
Quotes attributable to Cairns MP and Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development Michael Healy:
"Tourism is an economic powerhouse in Queensland, driving investment and career opportunities across our vast State. As tourism continues to emerge from COVID , we see Queensland's dominance in the domestic market grow.
"With the positive results of our $200 million investment in attracting International Aviation, tourism's best days are ahead of us.
"Whether you work for a big International brand or a small mum and dad business, we get tourism in Queensland.
"I'm proud to part of a Government which understands tourism and works with the industry to ensure growing opportunities".
Quotes attributable to Cook MP Cynthia Lui:
"We're home to two World Heritage areas, the Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef in the Far North.
"Visitors to our regions get to enjoy the finest beauty and vast biodiversity of nature, which is what makes our beautiful region so special."
Quotes attributable to Barron River MP Craig Crawford:
"In Cairns and the Far North, we know tourism is a key pillar of our economy.
"With record domestic visitor numbers and international tourism on the rebound, we've got a bright outlook ahead."
Quotes attributable to Mulgrave MP Curtis Pitt:
"Here in Tropical North Queensland, tourists pumped $4.3 billion into the economy, in the last year alone.
"This World Tourism Day we celebrate our hidden gems. From the Daintree to Burketown, from the Cape and Islands to Thargominda. Just spectacular."
