New data reveals record number of tourists visiting Gold Coast in past year

A record number of tourists are visiting the Gold Coast — and spending a record amount, new tourism figures have revealed.

A RECORD number of domestic visitors spending at record levels have passed through the Gold Coast during the past year, new tourism figures show.

A whopping 4,002,000 visitors spent more than $3.6 billion on the Gold Coast in the year ending March 2019, reveals National Visitor Survey data released by the Federal Government

The economic spend is 22 per cent up on last year, with domestic overnight visitation increasing by 17 per cent to a record four million.

Events including Cooly Rocks On have boosted tourism numbers. Photograph: Jason O'Brien

RECORD SPEND FROM OVERSEAS VISITORS ON COAST

Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista said visitors who delayed their holiday in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games had now returned “in great numbers”.

“We had a quieter March quarter in 2018, so it’s thoroughly encouraging to see overnight visitors inspired to take winter breaks in our slice of paradise last year,” she said.

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“Whilst the majority of overnight visitors were holiday-makers, we also welcomed 564,000 business travellers, who we know spend more than the average tourist.

“Over the last three consecutive quarters we have seen domestic overnight expenditure reach record levels, which is important because it tells us that our key strategy — to maintain and grow the Gold Coast’s domestic market share — is resonating with our targe markets.”

The Gold Coast outperformed both state and nationwide growth in spend, visitation and visitor nights.

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Annaliese Battista celebrated the numbers. Picture Glenn Hampson

Total overnight visitation increased by 16.8 per cent, overnight spending increased by 22.6 per cent and total visitor nights increased by 22.4 per cent.

Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones said domestic tourism continued to be the “bread and butter” of the Gold Coast.

“The data released today shows our strategy to grow visitor numbers and expenditure from the southern states is working,” she said.

“We’re investing in new infrastructure and boosted funding for marketing in consecutive budgets to grow this important industry.

“Business events and conferences are a multi-billion dollar global industry. Queensland is punching above its weight in this area but we’re keen to grow our slice of the action.”

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Kate Jones said events were now a “multi-billion dollar” industry. (AAP Image/Richard Waugh)

Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Mike Winlaw said the popular precinct was finally seeing an upturn more than a year on from the Commonwealth Games.

“To see the numbers now emerging is really encouraging. All our events we’ve been running during the first half of the year were designed to drive as many backs on beds as we could,” he said.

“So it’s a good sign that the event strategies are starting to work as well. The most significant (upturn) is in cafes and restaurants starting to pick up but so is retail as well.”

WHAT THE DATA SHOWS:

— Total Gold Coast overnight visitors — 4 million

— Total spending — $3.6 billion

— Business visitors — 564,000

— Day trippers — 8 million

— Spending growth — 22.6 per cent