Aussies spent $13.8 billion on trips to Queensland
Hardy Reef, Whitsundays. Tourism Queensland
AUSTRALIANS spent almost $14 billion on trips to Queensland last year as the Newman government ramps up efforts to grow the key pillar of the economy.
Figures released by Tourism Research Australia show an increase of $330 million in spending by Aussies in the Sunshine State.
Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said these figures show another year of visitor expenditure growth.
"These numbers are reflective of the hard work by the industry in partnership with the Newman Government."
Ms Stuckey said Queensland welcomed 17.6 million Australians in 2013.
"Queensland continues to see strong growth from the important New South Wales market with around 1.7 million Sydneysiders visiting the state in 2013, boosted by a 13 per cent increase in holiday travel," Ms Stuckey said.
"At a regional level Townsville, the Whitsundays and Brisbane were the standouts with visitor spending increasing 21, 18 and 7 per cent respectively.
"Our tourism industry blossomed after a tough period under Labor to then have weather events impacting overall results in 2013.
"The Queensland Government continues to support the industry as we strive to increase domestic and international overnight visitor expenditure from $15 billion to $30 billion by 2020."
More information about Tourism Research Australia's National Visitor Survey for the year ended December 2013 can be found at - www.te.queensland.com
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