Domestic tourists bring $2 billion boost

20/9/2017

Domestic tourists bring $2 billion boost

More Australians than ever before are choosing to visit the Sunshine Coast, including Noosa and Peregian Beach in the Wide Bay electorate – and the 3.4 million tourists have spent a whopping $2.06 billion, Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien announced today.

The National Visitor Survey shows domestic tourists increased by 5 per cent in the past year, staying an average of four nights and boosting the region’s coffers by spending $603 per person.

Mr O’Brien said international visitor numbers grew by 12 per cent to 296,000, adding a further $250 million to the Sunshine Coast economy with each tourist staying an average of 10 nights.

“These figures are great news for the Sunshine Coast and surrounding regions,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Every dollar spent by a domestic or international visitor has flow-on benefits for the local community, driving our economy and creating jobs.”

Mr O’Brien said while the Sunshine Coast was a stand-out success story in Australian tourism, other parts of the Wide Bay electorate had also seen positive trends.

“Domestic visitors to the Darling Downs region, including Goomeri, Murgon and Cherbourg, are up 19% compared to three years ago to 1.87 million guests, adding $713 million to the local economy,” Mr O’Brien said.

“On the Fraser Coast, international visitors jumped 12 per cent to 148,000 in the past year, bringing $36 million.”

Mr O’Brien said he was working hard to ensure all areas of the Wide Bat electorate had the infrastructure needed to support increased tourist numbers.

“Wide Bay is a beautiful, diverse area for holiday-makers to explore, and I encourage visitors to visit our small towns and hinterland areas as well as our popular beaches.”

The NVS and IVS are produced by Tourism Research Australia and available at: www.tra.gov.au.