Canadian visitation to Brisbane jumps 25%
Brisbane’s popularity as a global destination has hit new heights, with new visitor data showing a record-breaking $10.7 billion was spent by visitors across an unprecedented 50.8 million nights in the city.
The latest Tourism Research Australia data for the year ending June 2024 showed Brisbane’s visitor growth outpacing Australia and its home State, Queensland, with the city hosting 8.8 million total visitors, including record numbers from five international markets including Canada, the USA, Indonesia, South Korea and New Zealand.
Visitors from Canada jumped 25 per cent and North America visitation was up an astonishing 9.4 per cent on 2019 figures, to 162,000 visitors.
International spending is up
Brisbane’s growing leisure experiences, world-class dining and accommodation, packed calendar of major events and unbeatable winter sunshine saw international spending increased to $3.2 billion, up 10.1 per cent from 2019.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane just keeps getting better with the city’s popularity with visitors from Australia and the world at an all-time high.
“Visitors from across the country and the world are embracing Brisbane as Australia’s lifestyle capital, with millions of people wanting to experience the very best of our region,” Schrinner said. “Brisbane has more to see and do than ever before including our world-class lifestyle precincts like Howard Smith Wharves, Fish Lane and the brand-new Queen’s Wharf, our packed events calendar and our unrivalled natural experiences. Visitors are coming in droves to stay in our hotels, enjoy our tourism experiences, and indulge in our incredible dining and shopping scene, which means local businesses are boosted as our economy grows even stronger.”
A growing global reputation
Brisbane Economic Development Agency Chief Executive Officer Anthony Ryan said the city’s growing global reputation, increasing aviation routes and targeted marketing campaigns were fueling Brisbane’s growth.
“Brisbane is booming, and these record-breaking numbers highlight the impact of growing airline routes and BEDA’s destination marketing campaigns, including our acclaimed ‘Brisbane Favours the Bold’ campaign targeting interstate visitors, and key activity across North America and Southeast Asia,”Ryan said. “This work supports domestic and international flights and ensures visitors extend their stay to soak up the abundance of activities and attractions across the region.
BEDA’s acclaimed destination marketing activity continues to grow Brisbane’s brand and support visitation from key domestic and international markets.
The successful ‘Brisbane Favours the Bold’ domestic marketing campaign achieved more than $70.6m in potential economic benefit to the city, generating $6.2m in direct booking revenue through conversion partners.
