The Gold Coast’s tourism sector has enjoyed a bumper year, breaking a stack of records.
Latest figures from the National Visitor and International Visitor Survey show 12.4 million domestic overnight visitors and day-trippers came to the Glitter Strip in the 12 months to September.
That’s up 19 per cent on the previous 12 months.
Collectively, they pumped a massive $7.1 billion into the Gold Coast economy, an increase of almost 42 per cent.
The surge in visitors was driven largely by a boost in tourist numbers from New South Wales with 1.3 million overnight visitors, including 746,000 from Sydney alone.
There was also a new record number of people from Brisbane coming down to stay on the Gold Coast with 1.6 million overnight stays in the past 12 months.
Experience Gold Coast Executive Director for Tourism Rachel Hancock says the figures show the Gold Coast continues to be the engine room of Australian tourism.
“A record 4.4 million domestic overnight visitors including all-time high visitation from Brisbane and Sydney tells us that these key markets are responding well to our campaign activity in what is an exceptionally competitive travel landscape,” Ms Hancock said.
Day-trippers continue to play an important role in the city’s tourism sector, spending $1.3 billion which is up almost 60 per cent.
The sector is expecting the good times to continue across the summer holidays with hotel occupancy sitting at around 80 per cent.
“We expect the Gold Coast will benefit from a $1.3 billion economic injection this summer with 42 per cent the result of interstate visitors compared to a quarter from international according to AEC modelling,” Ms Hancock said.
“Our city is buzzing with a lineup of not-to-be-missed events including the Sneakers Unboxed exhibition at HOTA Gallery, Magic Millions Carnival, and National Futsal Championships before the prestigious AACTA Awards are held here for the first time ever.”
