Sunshine State is No.1 with Aussies, but price a barrier

Queensland is Australians’ No.1 choice for a holiday, but many of them never make it here. This is why.

AUSTRALIANS would rather come to Queensland on holiday than anywhere else in the country, new research shows.

More people selected the Sunshine State as their No.1 destination than those who chose Victoria and New South Wales combined.

Qld takes the plunge to grow its $6b dive industry

Gold Coast tourism: Artificial dive site, beach bars on agenda

Noosa to put up the ‘full’ sign as over-tourism becomes issue

The Nielsen survey for national peak body Tourism and Transport Forum shows 38 per cent of Australians pick Queensland as their preferred domestic vacation location.

It also highlights a greater spread of nature and eco-tourism opportunities and luxury accommodation could bring more interstate tourists here.

But the survey shows high price is a barrier for would-be holidaymakers.

TTF chief executive Margy Osmond said: “These are fantastic results for Queensland and can be put down to hard work, partnerships and the support the industry is ­provided by the government.

“However what is critical is that the state keeps driving forward and continues to invest to ensure the industry is future-fit and keeps thriving.”

Tourism and Events Queensland chief executive Leanne Coddington said: “Our challenge is to make sure that preference and intention is converted to holidays.

“Our marketing approach is already delivering on that challenge, targeting high-value travellers, who spend more during their stay and further boost the tourism economy.

The Stockman's Hall of Fame at Longreach if one of the major attractions of Queensland’s Outback.

“We have the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s oldest living rainforest, the only place on Earth where two ancient cultures can be found side-by-side, iconic beaches and the vast Outback – just to name a few.

“So we know that not only are those core experiences right here in Queensland, but that visitors here also get real value for money, which is vitally important.

“But tourism is a highly competitive industry that is always evolving so we’re constantly working to ensure we have more strings to our bow.”

Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said: “It’s ­encouraging to see that Queensland is being returned to its place as the quintessential holiday destination for Australians.

“We were more ­affected than anyone by the cheap overseas locations that became accessible through low-cost airfares.

“But a bit of a saturation point has been reached and Australians are giving the homegrown product another go.”

WHICH IS YOUR PREFERRED HOLIDAY DESTINATION?

Queensland 38%

Victoria 16%

New South Wales 15%

Tasmania 11%

Western Australia 9%

South Australia 7%

Northern Territory 3%

ACT 2%

WHICH WOULD MAKE YOU MORE LIKELY TO HOLIDAY IN YOUR STATE OF CHOICE?

More nature/eco-tourism options 29%

More luxury hotels and resorts 21%

More adventure tourism 14%

More theme parks 11%

More dining options 9%

More indigenous/cultural attractions 8%

More organised tours 7%

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES WHEN CHOOSING A DESTINATION?

Price 73%

Quality of service 11%

Accessibility 8%

Reliability 7%

Language 1%

*Source: Nielsen/Tourism & Transport Forum survey of 811 Australians