International Visitor Growth!
Posted on March 2nd, 2016
A 20% (twenty percent) growth in Visitor Expenditure ($105 Million total) and a 4% increase (137,000 total) in Visitor Numbers of International Visitors for the December 2015 quarter to the Southern Great Barrier Reef (SGBR) destination reflects the marketing collaboration between the three regions of Capricorn, Gladstone and Bundaberg with Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ). Source: International Visitor Survey (Tourism Research Australia).
Capricorn Enterprise chief executive Mary Carroll has welcomed the news stating that “not only have our international visitor numbers increased along with their expenditure, but their average length of stay in the SGBR is 19 nights which is up by 2 nights. This means our international visitors are staying in our magnificent part of Queensland for longer, spending more and experiencing more of the SGBR.”
International Markets in the United Kingdom (UK) and New Zealand (NZ) have both grown by 6% (24,000 total) and 16% (20,000 total) respectively in the December 2015 figures. Germany (19,000 total), USA (10,000 total) and France (7,000 total) are also key markets for the SGBR destination.
“Growth from our visitors in the UK and NZ reflects the promotional efforts we place in those key markets in partnership with the incredible work of the TEQ international offices. We have been attending Queensland on Tour in New Zealand for five years now, along with other activity like the annual Australian Tourism Exchange and Trade Missions to Sydney – the results are really paying off” she said.
Ms Carroll said “as to be expected, 75% of our international visitors are coming here for a holiday, with 14% Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) and 1% business. The domestic market is very different with roughly a third visiting for holiday, a third for business and a third visiting friends and relatives.”
“We know from our local operators and visitor information centre intel too, that our UK and European visitors, particularly the German and French are drawn to the coast and Great Keppel Island and the magnificent sandstone wilderness of Carnarvon Gorge. They love the clean, green natural beauty and they awe at our wide open spaces and safe environment.”
ENDS
Mary Carroll
CEO Capricorn Enterprise
Phone: 0417 669 286
