Queensland is preparing for a bumper summer holiday period with more high-spending Australians planning to holiday here than any other state.
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said new data showed a busy few months ahead for the state’s tourism operators.
“We’re working hard to help Queensland businesses capitalise on the bumper summer holiday period. This year looks like it will be one of the strongest on record for our tourism industry,” she said.
“Business is already in full swing, with school holidays under way and warm weather driving tourists to our beautiful beaches and coastline.
“New modelling tells us that Queensland is top of the list among high value travellers intending to travel domestically this summer.
“More Queenslanders also intend to take a holiday break this year than last year. Since Queenslanders have a high propensity to travel within their own state, this is great news for operators across all regions.
Ms Jones said tourism operators also felt optimistic, with 81 per cent reporting that they expected to perform the same or better than last year’s summer holidays.
“It’s no secret why Queensland’s tourism industry is performing well. We’ve restored $188 million cut by the LNP and we’re investing more in this industry than any government in Queensland’s history,” she said.
The Minister said holidaymakers intended to travel widely across the state, spreading the economic benefit throughout Queensland.
“Of those intending to visit Queensland, the Gold Coast is the most likely region to be visited, followed by Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, the Whitsundays, Tropical North Queensland and the Southern Great Barrier Reef region,” she said.
“Intention to travel to the Whitsundays has increased from last year, a positive step for the region which has welcomed the reopening of island resorts and other tourism infrastructure this year.”
Ms Jones said the approach taken to drive more visitors to Queensland was paying off.
“The Palaszczuk Government has a clear strategy to target those who are most likely to spend money on tours, activities and dining while on holidays – generating maximum economic benefit and supporting jobs in the tourism industry,” she said.
“Of the people intending to holiday in Queensland this summer, a third plan to spend $2000 or more.
“The signs are very positive for a bumper summer holiday period – a great way to cap off the year for our tourism industry and a positive start for 2020.”
