More Australians than ever before are choosing to holiday in Queensland, with visitor numbers and spending reaching record highs.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said today’s National Visitor Survey (NVS) data for the year ended March 2019 showed Australian travellers spent more than ever before in Queensland with a record $18.5 billion pumped into the state.

Queensland welcomed a record 24.6 million overnight visitors - up by 12.2 per cent - with the state’s overall growth rate in visitors above all other Australian states.

Ms Jones said Queensland continued to hold a strong market share of the domestic overnight spend in Australia at 24.8 per cent.

“A strong tourism industry is vital to jobs growth in Queensland,” she said.

“That’s why we’re investing more in this sector than any government in the state’s history – to create jobs in our cities and regions. Aussies holidaying in the Sunshine State is our bread and butter. The data released today shows our strategy to grow visitor numbers and expenditure from the southern states is working."

“The previous government didn’t understand tourism. They cut $188 million from the tourism budget and conceded market share to New South Wales and Victoria.”

Ms Jones said today’s NVS data also showed domestic overnight spending was up 14.4 per cent.

“What’s fantastic about this data is all Queensland regions saw growth in expenditure and visitation on the three-year trend,” she said.

“We’re backing tourism because we know no matter where you live in Queensland, this industry benefits local businesses.”

Holiday visitation reached a record 9.5 million - up by 9.6 per cent year-on year while holiday spending in Queensland reached a record $8.2 billion - up 11.1 per cent.

Ms Jones said Queensland continued to grow its appeal as an ideal destination for business travel, off the back of several recent high-profile events.

See also: 

Domestic visitors return in record numbers to Gold Coast

Brisbane breaking into American travel plans

Construction begins on The Ritz-Carlton, Rosewood, Grand and Dorsett hotels as part of Queen’s Wharf Brisbane