The Sunshine State remains Australia’s number-one domestic holiday destination, outperforming the other states for tourism recovery in both international and domestic visitor expenditure and duration of stay in 2023.
Holidays were the main reason to visit Queensland in 2023, according to the latest Tourism Research Australia (TRA) National and International Visitor Survey results.
The TRA data shows the Sunshine State held a 28.1 per cent market share of the nation’s domestic holiday expenditure in 2023 with 25 million visitors in total.
The Brisbane, Southern Queensland Country, Townsville and Mackay regions reached record domestic overnight visitor expenditure (OVE) levels last year.
Easter holiday 2024 forecasts up to $2.5 billion in visitor spending across the state with Brisbane Airport expecting two million passengers.
Queensland reached $28.3 billion in total domestic OVE in 2023 – up 1.8 per cent on 2022 – and $5.7 billion in total international OVE (94.4% of 2019 levels).
International tourism recovery
In 2023, two million international visitors were staying longer – on average almost six nights longer – and spending more than in 2019.
The Brisbane, Sunshine Coast and Southern Great Barrier Reef regions reached record international OVE levels last year.
The state’s top three international source markets in 2023 were New Zealand, the UK and Japan.
Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said: “Queensland has held the leading domestic market share position for holiday travel but we know there are challenges ahead as we continue to navigate the cost of living and overseas competition.”
“We are certainly seeing some good news with international travellers returning to Queensland with three of our largest international markets now surpassing pre-pandemic visitor spending levels.
“TEQ is continuing to work closely with international trade partners as we continue to recover this market with more than 80 international campaigns delivered in the last financial year to help boost the return of international travel to Queensland.”
Business travel boost for Queensland
Ms O’Callaghan added that corporate travellers have also aided in the state’s recovery.
“Business events and travel also continue to prove they are a valuable opportunity for Queensland,” she said.
“Both domestic and international business travellers broke visitor expenditure records with $5.1 billion in domestic OVE and $401.1 million in international OVE injected into the state’s economy last year.”
To read the full report, head here.