Sunshine Coast leads the nation with international visitor growth

The Sunshine Coast is new the leading destination for international travellers in Australia, with locals rejoicing as business booms.

Rice Boi owner Tony Kelly said business is booming. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Overseas travellers are spending big on the Sunshine Coast, with the region leading the nation when it comes to international tourism growth, data has revealed.

The latest figures from Tourism Research Australia’s international visitors survey show when it comes to overseas arrivals the Sunshine Coast is leading the country in terms of growth over the past five years.

The figures show there was a 33 per cent jump in the amount spent by international visitors to the Sunshine Coast, up from $277m in the year to March 2019 to $371m in 2024.

Meanwhile, the number of nights spent by international travellers in the region jumped about 74 per cent from 2019 to 2024.

When it came to the growth of total international visitor numbers the region claimed second place after only Adelaide, with a rise from 309,000 international trips in 2019 to 311,000 in 2024.

Sunshine Coast saw the biggest growth in international visitor expenditure.

The Sunshine Coast restaurateur behind the popular venues, Rice Boi, Bocca Italian and Market Bistro, Tony Kelly, said the strong return of overseas holiday-makers to the coast had contributed to the recent jump in trade at his venues.

“Looking at the data from my venues, Market Bistro and Bocca Italian, trade is certainly up considerably on last year, which really goes to show you that the international market knows food and knows wine and they are happy to spend for it,” Mr Kelly said.

“I think they see great value with what we have here, they are certainly not reluctant to spend a few bucks.”

Mr Kelly said an increase in international travellers had also bolstered the region’s crowds during traditionally quiet periods, as people flocked to the coast all year round.

Sunshine Coast was one of only two places that saw an increase in international visitors.

“It is a tough market to get a reservation in at the moment, arguably this is a fairly quiet time for the Sunshine Coast but Market Bistro has 95 people booked for a Tuesday night,” he said.

“Local markets have certainly been bolstered up by those travellers.”

Mr Kelly said better public transport services and an open attitude to accommodating more overseas holiday-makers in the future will help more businesses in the region prosper.

Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel said the tills of local businesses on the coast were ringing as international visitors flocked to the region.

“Our markets have been the fastest to rebound, for the year ending in March we had a new record for overnight visitor spend,” Mr Stoeckel said.

The region saw a huge increase in the time visitors stayed here.

“Things are coming back because of our market make-up.”

Mr Stoeckel said direct flights from New Zealand to the Sunshine Coast Airport were helping boost tourism as well as more international flights into Brisbane.

“A year-round service by Jetstar will also start in December which will connect Maroochydore and Auckland as well,” Mr Stoeckel said.

Mr Stoeckel said he expects international attention to remain high as the region prepares to host events during the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.