The latest National Visitor Survey released today showed a record 3.5 million domestic visitors travelled to the Sunshine Coast in the year ending September 2018, generating a rise of 18.4 per cent in expenditure to $2.4 billion.

The International Visitor Survey was also released with international arrivals topping 319,000 and also breaking a record with visitors increasing by 8.5 per cent and spend increasing by 5.3 per cent, totalling $248.2 million.

Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Simon Latchford said the result was a culmination of highly targeted and effective campaigns both in Australia and overseas to attract new visitors and encourage past visitors to return.

“The performance out of New Zealand has been outstanding, along with continued growth from the American, Asian and European markets, and the fact that they are spending more reflects the diversity of attractions available across the Sunshine Coast,” he said.

See also: Sunshine Coast Airport Winter season sees record number of visitors

“This is in addition to particularly strong growth from our traditional domestic drive market, complemented by the wide range of direct flights into Sunshine Coast Airport. Qantas will shortly add an additional daily-direct service from Sydney, which will help boost leisure, corporate and conference travel even further.

“Today’s figures reflect the success of our promotional campaigns with Tourism and Events Queensland and travel trade partners to grow key domestic and international markets including New Zealand, UK and the US.”

Mr Latchford said the popularity of events over the period was also a contributing factor to the successful data released today.

“With the support of Sunshine Coast Council, the major events calendar for the region has become stronger and more diversified, with domestic business events visitors growing by 5.5% over the period as a result of the region winning an increased number of major conferences.”

Snapshot: Domestic Visitor Survey to year end September 2018

• $2.4 billion spend record high and increase 18.4% year on year
• 3.5 million domestic visitors record high and increase 1.8% year on year
• Of the 3.5 million total visitors, 1.95 million were holiday visitors, an increase of 6.6% and 276,000 were business visitors increasing by 5.5%.
• Spend per night $194 up 19%

Source: Tourism Research Australia

Snapshot: International Visitor Survey to year end September 2018*

• $248.2 million spend increase 5.3% year on year
• 319,000 international visitors record high and increase 8.5%
• Spend per night $91 up 22%

Source: Tourism Research Australia

Click here to view the Visit Sunshine Coast website.

See also:

Caloundra’s Events Centre $6 million redevelopment to be completed April 2019

Sunshine Coast $450m ACTVENTURE resort and theme park development moves a step closer

New $8 million Sunshine Coast Convention Centre to be built within Novotel Twin Waters Resort