Chinese tourists into Gold Coast led foreign visitor surge in spend

FOREIGN tourists are pouring into the Gold Coast in record numbers — and spend plus length of stay are surging in a huge turnaround for the city.

FOREIGN tourists are pouring into the Gold Coast in record numbers — and spend plus length of stay are surging in a huge turnaround for the city.

Rosy new visitor numbers yesterday from Tourism Research Australia reveal international visitors now spending more than before after a prolonged period of dips.

All up the Gold Coast attracted 1,042,000 foreign tourists for the year to June and they shelled out $1.3 billion.

It was just a 1.1 per cent jump in visitors but a startling 11.1 per cent increase in spend.

It comes after Gold Coast-based former Federal Tourism Minister Steven Ciobo last year lambasted Destination Gold Coast CEO Martin Winter for declining spend and losing market share to the rest of the country.

THREE-DAY DANCE PARTY BENDER HEADED FOR THE GOLD COAST

Member for Gaven and Assistant Minister for Tourism Industry Development Meaghan Scanlon

The turnaround was recorded during Mr Winter’s period in the hot seat. He finished two months ago.

Another encouraging statistic from TRA was average foreign visitor stays of 6.5 nights, up 1.4 nights on the previous 12 months.

Chinese remain the Gold Coast’s biggest market with more than 270,000, a quarter of all international visitors.

Assistant Tourism Industry Development Minister and Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said: “Tourism is vital for the Gold Coast’s economy.

DESTINATION GOLD COAST CEO ANNALIESE BATTISTA IN ‘BOLD’ NEW ERA

Chinese Tourists Qiqi Si and Nana Chao enjoy time on Surfers Paradise Beach. Picture: Adam Head

“We’re investing in this sector to create the jobs of the future on the Coast

“The fact we’re luring more visitors who are spending more while they’re here is great news for the Gold Coast.”

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the state’s $25 billion tourism industry reflected the breadth of tourism experiences in Queensland.

“Queensland’s growth in visitor spending was significantly higher than Australia’s average growth — 8.1 per cent in comparison to 4.8 per cent,” she said.

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Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development, Kate Jones. Picture: Jerad Williams

“China remains Queensland’s number one international market, with more than 500,000 visitors spending a record $1.3 billion.”

Meanwhile, the Gold Coast is Australia’s ‘family-friendly capital’ for a third year running in top travel magazine Australian Traveller.

More than 5000 people voted the city the best family holiday destination.

Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista said it was testament to the range of activities and accommodation.