International visitor numbers to Southern Queensland Country have increased 5.6 per cent to 51,000 visitors, according to figures released today.
Southern Queensland Country includes the Southern Downs, South Burnett, Toowoomba, the Granite Belt and the Western Downs.
Tourism Research Australia’s International Visitor Survey figures for the year ending June 2015, also show a record level of international visitor expenditure.
Southern Queensland Country Tourism CEO Mary-Clare Power said the figures reflected the appeal of the destination for the international market and confirmed the potential of international marketing initiatives to be rolled out over the next three years.
“The largest increase in travellers was from the UK market, up 24.6 per cent to 8000 visitors,” she said.
“This increase from one of Australia’s largest traditional source markets reinforces our plans to target another traditional market, New Zealand.
“Our research shows great potential in the NZ drive market – particularly the 50+ age group who have been to Australia before and are looking for new experiences and places to visit.
“We also plan to target the nature tourism market out of Germany.
“So we’re talking to two interested, but largely untapped, new markets for SQC and our aim is to increase visitor numbers, length of stay and expenditure.”
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International Visitor Survey At A Glance:
- International visitor numbers to Southern Queensland Country have increased 5.6 per cent to 51,000 visitors (year ending June 30, 2015)
- International Visitor expenditure in SQC – increased by 38.9 per cent on the previous year to a record $85.5 million
- Every international visitor to the region on average spent a record $1665.60
- There was a rise of 20 per cent in the Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) visitor segment
- Largest market increase in international travellers was the UK, up 24.6 per cent to 8000 visitors.
- SQC visitor nights overall are up 8.2 per cent (from June 2014) and of that, holiday nights increased 16.6 per cent
- Business visits increased 12 per cent and also makes up 12 per cent of total international visitors to SCQ.
