Foreign visitors flock to Queen Victoria Market

Queen Victoria Market’s popularity with international tourists is growing, with nearly half of visitors to Victoria adding it to their list. See what country’s visitors most like to visit the market.

Queen Victoria Market’s popularity with international tourists is growing, with nearly half of visitors to Victoria adding it to their list. Pic: QVM

Queen Victoria Market’s popularity with international tourists is growing, with nearly half of visitors to Victoria adding it to their list.

The market attracted 1.36 million foreign visitors in 2017-18, up 1.9 per cent on last year, according to the latest Tourism Research Australia visitor surveys.

Chinese nationals were the biggest group, with 287,411 people, followed by Malaysians (99,924) and US citizens (94,622).

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The biggest growth market is Taiwanese, posting a 31.7 per cent rise in visits since last year.

Of all international visitors to Victoria, 45.8 per cent went to the market.

A deli at Queen Victoria Market.

String Bean Alley at Queen Victoria Market. Pic: QVM

The surveys found the ­market welcomed 1.5 million domestic visitors, including 850,000 from interstate.

Market CEO Stan Liacos said the venue was considered one of the world’s best fresh food markets, and the survey results showed its popularity as a tourist attraction was growing.

“It’s a destination for visitors to experience Melbourne’s famous fresh food, shopping culture, welcoming community and bustling city location,” he said.

But the market’s proposed $250 million redevelopment has been dogged by heritage approval issues and other delays amid opposition from a vocal protest group.

Next week, City of Melbourne councillors will consider a 40-member people’s panel report on the project’s future.

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@JMasanauskas