Queensland leads nation out of tourism slump, becomes top destination for locals

Queensland had an influx of 21 million visitors in the year ending in March

Queensland is leading tourism out of the slump brought by COVID-19. 

Data gathered by Tourism Research Australia revealed that domestic tourists in Queensland spent more money and stayed longer, contributing approximately AUD18 billion to the local economy.

Queensland had an influx of 21 million visitors in the year ending in March. More than nine million out of the 21 million tourists celebrated the easing of travel restrictions while six million people visited friends and family.

The data also showed how severe the aftermath was for the nation’s tourism sector, with losses to domestic and international travel totalling AUD156.8 billion since the beginning of the pandemic.

Revenue from international travel saw a drop amounting to AUD81.9 billion.

Peter Shelley, managing director of the Australian Tourism Export Council stated that the March 2022 statistics showed that there were 94 percent fewer visitors and 89 percent less money spent than in March 2019.

Usually, Queensland is ranked third in the top destinations visited by locals, right behind NSW and Victoria, according to news.com.au.

“Queensland’s unique visitor experiences are the envy of Australia and the world with so many breathtaking iconic attractions from the Great Barrier Reef to outback dinosaurs found only in Queensland,” said Stirling Hinchliffe, Queensland Tourism Minister.

“Many Australians are discovering just how spectacular the Great Barrier Reef and the world’s oldest rainforest are for the first time and they are blown away that Cairns is a cosmopolitan tropical city with accommodation, food, and beverage offerings equal to those in our capital cities,” he added.

More: Australians get ready to travel again, many bound for New Zealand

Starting 1am on 30 June 2022, COVID-19 vaccinations will no longer be a requirement for those visiting residential aged care, disability accommodation, or prisons in Queensland, as announced by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on 24 June 2022.

The public directive requiring post-arrival testing for visitors arriving in Queensland from other countries, according to the premier, had also been removed, reported ABC News.

The Property Report editors wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].