BRISBANE, Queensland, Sept. 30 -- The Queensland Department of the Premier and Cabinet issued text of the following statement:

Minister for the Environment and Tourism and Minister for Science and Innovation

The Honourable Andrew Powell

* Queensland's visitor economy reached $45.6 billion in the year ending June 2026, tracking $1.4 billion above the Crisafulli Government'sDestination 2045projection. * Queensland outperformed the national average for both international visitation and international visitor expenditure growth. * 2.4 million international visitors spent $8.1 billion in Queensland, with international holiday expenditure reaching a record $3.8 billion. * After a decade of decline under Labor, theDestination 2045planis putting Queensland tourism back on track andreinforcing our reputation ofAustralia's home of the holiday.

The Crisafulli Governmentisdelivering onitsDestination 2045plan, with Queensland's visitor economy reaching $45.6 billion in the year ending June 2026, tracking $1.4 billion aheadofprojections.

Tourism Research Australia (TRA)datashowsinternational tourismiscontinuingto drivestrong growth, with 2.4 million international visitors spending $8.1 billion across theState.

Queensland's appeal as the home of the holiday continues to resonate with international travellers, with visitor expenditure reaching a record $3.8 billion, up 25.7 per cent over the year.

International visitor expenditure grew 28.4 per cent year on year, almostdoublethe national growth rate of 15.6 per cent, while international visitation increased 10.6 per cent compared with 8.6 per cent nationally.

China remainedQueensland's largestinternational market by visitor expenditure, with travellers spending $1.6 billion, up 83.6 per cent year on year, driven by growth in the education and holiday markets.

New Zealandfollowed with $956.1 million (up 10.3 per cent), the United Kingdom with $620.9 million (up 9.6 per cent), Japan with $604.8 million (up 26.4 per cent) and the United States with a record $526.3 million (up 14.7 per cent).

South Korea,Franceand Taiwan also recorded record international visitor expenditure. French holiday visitors stayed an average 55.4 days, up 26.2 days, with working holiday makersaccounting for53 per centof all holiday visitors.

Record international visitor expenditure was achieved in two Queensland tourism regions, with Brisbane reaching $4.2 billion, up 41.4 per cent, and the Whitsundays reaching $273 million, up 26.9 per cent.

Domestic tourism continued to underpin Queensland's visitor economy, generating $37.5 billion in expenditure, up 3.9 per cent and ahead of the Destination 2045 projection.

Queensland welcomed 26 million domestic overnight visitors, while intrastate trips grew 2.1 per cent to 19.5 million, and daytrip expenditure surged 37.5 per cent to $10.3 billion.

Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell saidthe latest resultsdemonstratedthe momentum behind the Crisafulli Government'sDestination 2045plan.

"We are backing QueenslandasAustralia's home of the holiday by investing in world-class experiences and securing major events to bring more visitorsto our great state," Minister Powell said.

"These results show the Crisafulli Government'sDestination 2045isalreadydelivering results withQueensland'stourism industry growing strongly, supporting jobs,businessesand communities right across the state.

"While Labor'splan for tourism would have seentourism fundingslashedby 95 per cent, we're giving the confidence and investment our industry needs togrow."

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Craig Davidson said the results showed strong demand for Queensland holidays from visitors at home and overseas.

"It's encouraging to see international holiday expenditure reach record levels, alongside continued resilience in domestic visitation," Mr Davidson said.

"Queensland offers an incredible breadth ofdestinations,and we want visitors to continue experiencing That Holiday Feeling whether they're returning to a favourite place or discovering somewhere new."

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT:Ruth McCosker 0406 331 114

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.