Tourism’s local heroes
Domestic travellers drive boom in North
AN AUSSIE love affair with the Tropical North is driving domestic visitor numbers to grow at a faster rate than international tourists.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Pip Close said the domestic market increased by 14.9 per cent to 2.04 million over 12 months.
And guests are spending more with the economic return increasing by 20.3 per cent to $2.3 billion.
“TTNQ has been targeting high-value travellers to increase visitor spend in the destination to $3.5 billion by 2020 and it appears this strategy is working,” Ms Close said.
However, foreign visitors dropped by 3.3 per cent to 860,000 over the same period ending September 2018.
“The international figures have dropped slightly, suggesting domestic passengers may be reclaiming the seats which in previous years had been taken up by international travellers, especially the Chinese,” Ms Close said.
“We do not anticipate there will be growth in our international markets until we secure more direct flights to Cairns.
“International spend has declined by 2 per cent to $1.06 billion … but when combined with the domestic growth we are still well on track to reach Tropical North Queensland’s 2020 target.”
Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said Tourism Research Australia figures, released today, proved the Far North “continued to be the jewel in the state’s tourism crown”.
“It is the strength of our natural attractions in Tropical North Queensland that continue to entice domestic visitors,” he said.
“The equation is simple – more tourists mean more jobs in Cairns and Far North Queensland.”
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the data showed “investment in tourism in Tropical North Queensland is paying off”.
“We know that new infrastructure like a Global Tourism Hub and an upgraded port and convention centre will entice tourists and create jobs in Tropical North Queensland,” Ms Jones said.
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