Gold Coast tourism booms as overnight visitation spikes to 7.2 per cent

The Gold Coast is attracting a record number of visitors from across the country — the “bread and butter” of the city’s billion-dollar tourism market.

THE Gold Coast is attracting a record number of visitors from across the country — the “bread and butter” of the city’s billion-dollar tourism market.

New figures from the National Visitor Survey show domestic overnight visitation boomed 7.2 per cent to a record 3.8 million in the 12 months to December 2018.

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Stunning beaches are one of the reasons why people visit the city. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Overnight expenditure reached a record $3.5 billion, a rise of 19.7 per cent year-on-year, while visitor nights grew 9 per cent to 14.7 million.

Destination Gold Coast chief executive Annaliese Battista said domestic tourists “make up the bulk of our total tourism market”.

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CEO of Destination Gold Coast, Annaliese Battista, in Broadbeach. Picture: Jerad Williams

“It’s imperative that we don’t take domestic travellers for granted, they are our bread and butter and are often repeat visitors, so as an industry we need to ensure our offering remains relevant and enticing,” she said.

Ms Battista said this year her organisation ran a new $2.5 million campaign in partnership with the State Government and “our iconic theme parks”.

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An increase in domestic overnight spend of nearly 20 per cent was “phenomenal”.

She said an increase in domestic overnight spend of nearly 20 per cent was “phenomenal”.

Holiday visitation increased by 5.2 per cent to 2 million, intrastate holiday visitation rose by 3.3 per cent to 984,000 and interstate visitation increased by 7 per cent to 1.1 million.

McPherson MP Karen Andrews was “thrilled” the city “continues to be a major tourist hotspot for Aussies and also international travellers”.

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“It’s positive news for the city’s tourism industry, which is the backbone of the local economy and a huge driver of employment here,” she said.

“We know our world class beaches and scenic hiking spots, fine dining and attractions are one-of-kind and it’s great to see more Aussies choosing the Gold Coast when holidaying at home.”

The latest figures follow record domestic overnight expenditure over two consecutive quarters.

International visitor spend hit an highest for the year ending December 2018.