Queensland leads domestic holiday market ahead of school holidays

27 Mar 2024

Queensland remains Australia’s favourite domestic holiday destination, holding 28.1 per cent market share of the nation’s holiday expenditure in 2023, according to the latest data released by Tourism Research Australia (TRA).

Queensland’s total domestic overnight visitor expenditure (OVE) reached $28.3 billion last year, up 1.8 per cent yearly, including Brisbane, Southern Queensland Country, Townsville and Mackay regions all reaching record levels of domestic OVE.

TRA’s International Visitor Survey also showed the recovery of international visitor expenditure in Queensland is outperforming the national average. In 2023, international visitors were staying longer - on average almost six nights longer - and spending more than they were in 2019.

The Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, and Southern Great Barrier Reef regions reached record levels of international overnight visitor expenditure (OVE) last year.

This comes ahead of four weeks of Easter holidays, with forecasts of up to $2.5 billion in visitor spending across the state, from March 29 to April 29.

Contributing to the potential visitor spend are 18 Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) supported events being staged over the holiday period, expected to inject $32 million into the Queensland economy.

From unique Outback Queensland experiences at Roma’s Easter in the Country and the Winton Way Out West Bad Festival, to country gems such as the Kalbar Sunflower Festival or the physical challenges of the Gold Coast Running Festival, Tour De Brisbane, and the Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival.

TEQ has delivered more than 80 international campaigns in the last financial year to help boost the return of international travel to Queensland.

Both domestic and international business travellers broke visitor expenditure records while in Queensland, with $5.1 billion in domestic OVE and $401.1 million in international OVE injected into the state’s economy last year

Travellers can book a last-minute holiday this Easter school holidays at https://www.queensland.com/.

Queensland events supported through Tourism and Events Queensland (excluding business events) between 29 March to 29 April 2024:

  • Roma's Easter in the Country 2024
  • Rare Spares Rockynats 04 2024
  • The Winton Way Out West Bad Festival 2024
  • Oceania Championships (MTB Downhill) (Brisbane Cycling Festival)
  • Pho3nix Gold Coast Triathlon - Luke Harrop Memorial 2024
  • U18 National Championships and Kevin Combs Cup National Championships (Basketball)
  • Billie Jean King Cup 2024 - Australia v Mexico
  • National Road Series (Brisbane Cycling Festival)
  • Tour de Brisbane (Brisbane Cycling Festival)
  • Australian Surf Life Saving National Championships (Aussies)
  • Gold Coast Film Festival 2024
  • Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival 2024
  • Kalbar Sunflower Festival 2024
  • Outback River Lights Festival 2024
  • The Cooly Classic & Gold Coast Swim Week 2024
  • Australian Body Art Festival 2024
  • Sunshine Coast Multisport Festival April 2024
  • Gold Coast Running Festival 2024