June 21, 2017
Tourism spending in the Southern Queensland Country Tourism region – which includes the South Burnett as well as Toowoomba, the Southern Downs and Western Downs – hit a record high over the past 12 months.
This is according to the Domestic Tourism Snapshot released on Wednesday by Tourism and Events Queensland.
According to the report, expenditure growth in SQC was strong in the year ending March 2017 – up 42.9 per cent to a record high $773.3 million.
TEQ said this was driven by longer stays and visitors spending more per night.
Domestic visitation also grew, up 3.1 per cent, driven by a strong interstate market (up 14.1 per cent).
The snapshot said SQC received a total of 1.898 million visitors over the 12-month period (up 3.1 per cent), which included 524,000 holiday visitors (up 2.4 per cent).
Visitors spent an average $407.50 when in the region.
SQCT CEO Mary-Clare Power said overall Queensland tourism expenditure was up a very healthy 5.8 per cent, but SQC’s growth was seven times the State growth figure.
“Good news like this is due in no small part to the region’s dedicated tourism community.
“For the past two years the region has enjoyed steady growth, welcomed more operators, seen product improvements and upgrades, all of which has been underpinned by an increase in cooperative marketing initiatives,” she said.
- External link: Tourism And Events Queensland – Queensland Research
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I’d like to see an itemised report for the regions off Southern Queensland Country?
We have updated this story to add a link to Tourism and Events Queensland’s research, Rob. Southern Queensland Country’s latest data – for the year to December 2016 – can be found by following the link on the sidebar of TEQ’s website. As usual, the data is aggregated and does not provide a breakdown for the South Burnett.
Thanks for the heads up.
I refer to this article from December 2016
https://southburnett.com.au/news2/2016/12/sqc-tourism-drops-3-3pc/
It’s interesting to note that business was very busy with the back-to-back shutdowns at Tarong and Meandu Mine.
I am aware that Southern Queensland Country covers a large area.
I have colleagues in other regions of Southern Queensland Country that haven’t seen a major change in business for the better.
I’d be very interested to see where this hive of activity is in our greater region.