- A month of school holidays has added $1.7 billion to Queensland’s visitor economy.
- 22 events on the It’s Live! In Queensland events calendar contributed at least $80 million.
- Winter school holiday visitor nights were 6.5 million, on par with 2022.
Differences in winter school holiday scheduling across Australia have warmed the cash registers of Queensland tourism operators.
A four-week run of school holidays this month and in late June is tipped to deliver $1.7 billion for Queensland’s visitor economy.
The 6.5 million visitor nights recorded by the Queensland’s tourism operators are on par with mid-year school holidays in 2022.
Townsville, Southern Great Barrier Reef, Southern Queensland Country, Fraser Coast and Brisbane welcomed more visitors than the same time last year.
Queensland airports have reported a steady four weeks with passenger movements through Cairns one of the busiest for 2023 and exceeding last year’s numbers.
More than 1.5 million passengers moved through Brisbane Airport during the first fortnight of the winter school holidays, as well as stronger than expected international arrivals.
The 300,000 passengers using Gold Coast Airport during late June and early July is consistent with 2022 and continues to exceed pre-pandemic numbers.
During the school holidays, our It’s Live! In Queensland events calendar featured 22 events, delivering an estimated $80 million for the State’s visitor economy.
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said:
“The return of South Australians and Tasmanians to classes next week marks the end of a month-long run of school holidays for Queensland tourism operators.
“Despite cost-of-living pressures on families, Queensland’s great lifestyle, world-class visitor experiences and sunshine remain irresistible to Queensland and interstate holidaymakers.
“These are steady winter school holiday results for Queensland, the nation’s number one holiday destination.
“From the Gold Coast Marathon to Townsville’s Supercars, these holidays show the strength of our It’s Live! In Queensland events calendar.
“Destination events bring visitors, and these school holidays they’ve put $80 million into pockets of accommodation, hospitality and tourism operators.”
Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said:
“Queensland continues to be a favourite for visitors from across Australia and the world.
“Our incredible destinations, supported by a diverse calendar of events, gives visitors so many reasons to come to Queensland, whether it be for the first or the fifth time.
“TEQ will be strongly defending our position as Australia’s number one holiday destination with a new campaign in the planning to drive demand through to the Christmas season.
“With competition increasing globally we will continue to put Queensland front and centre to support the Queensland tourism industry, market our beautiful state to the world, and invest in events that drive visitation and inject millions into the economy.”
