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International visitors spend record amount in Brisbane
THE number of international visitors to Brisbane has reached one million for the first time with expenditure hitting record highs, according to new tourism research.
The latest International Visitor Survey from Tourism Research Australia revealed overseas visitors spent $1.7 billion in Brisbane in the year ended March 2015, up 10.8 per cent on the year before.
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the survey revealed that total international visitor numbers increased by 7.2 per cent to one million while holiday visitors were up 10.3 per cent over the same period. 
“International visitor numbers and spending in Brisbane have reached record levels with expenditure more than doubling in ten years, from $802 million in 2005,” Cr Quirk said.
“Brisbane scored some impressive wins in our key international markets, with the number of visitors from China up 21.9 per cent in the year to March and the number of visiting New Zealanders increasing 6.3 per cent,” he said.
“We also saw impressive growth from India, with visitor numbers rising 50 per cent.”
Cr Quirk said Brisbane’s hosting of the G20 Leaders Summit would have contributed to the rise in the number of international visitors.
“Not only did the G20 attract thousands of delegates and media when it was staged, the world-wide exposure of Brisbane would have created more awareness of the city in international markets,” he said.
“Brisbane Marketing also works with Tourism and Events Queensland on rolling out marketing activities and trade missions to key markets such as New Zealand, Japan and China to attract potential holidaymakers.
“These promotional activities are driving home the point that our New World City is constantly evolving with outstanding new experiences, venues and hotels with a vibrant calendar of major sporting and cultural events.
“Major sporting fixtures such as the recent blockbuster football weekend featuring the Liverpool FC clash with Brisbane Roar and the Qantas Wallabies’ match with the Springboks attract thousands of visitors to Brisbane.”
Cr Quirk said the future of international tourism looked bright with recent aviation and infrastructure announcements ensuring Brisbane would become increasingly accessible and attractive to overseas visitors.
“Qantas will re-instate direct services between Tokyo and Brisbane on 1 August; Etihad Airways has upgraded its Abu Dhabi-Brisbane route to a direct service; and Air Canada will fly directly between Vancouver and Brisbane from June 2016,” he said.
“On the infrastructure front, we will see world-class dining, retail, resort and entertainment precincts come on line through the Howard Smith Wharves and Queen’s Wharf Brisbane projects.
“These developments are set to transform Brisbane as a lifestyle capital and further enhance our reputation as an internationally-competitive tourism, major events and conventions destination.”
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