NSW surpasses QLD as top holiday destination for Australian travellers, according to new data
New South Wales remains the leading state in domestic tourism after attracting 28.9 million Australian visitors, a five per cent increase since last year.
In the year ending June 2016, NSW has amassed a total of $16.4 billion in tourist expenditure, according to Tourism Research Australia (TRA).
Stuart Ayres, NSW Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, said in a recent media release: “Domestic tourism growth for the year has seen our state blitz ahead of its rivals with 7 million more visitors than Victoria and nearly 9 million more than Queensland."
“NSW continues to lead domestic tourism, with the largest share of Australia’s visitor economy…since the national survey began [in 1999]. It’s certainly onwards and upwards for NSW", said Mr Ayres.
Source: Tourism Research Australia 2016 Report
TRA reported domestic travellers are pursuing “outdoor nature-based and cultural activities as well as health-related activities”, which NSW provides.
“NSW is exactly what Aussie and overseas tourists are looking for in a holiday destination. From the hustle and bustle of the city, to the beautiful beaches like Bondi and Manly. We even have the Blue Mountains", said Al Wilson, Employee of Flamin’ Galah Sydney Tours.
Although NSW holds the title for domestic tourism, Queensland’s domestic tourist intake has increased by 7% from last year to 20.2 million visitors.
As a result, Queensland’s tourism and hospitality industries received a $1 billion boost in revenue from traveller spending.
Reader Summited Photo: Sydney Harbour, Source: @tambails
Dianne Knight, co-owner of Daintree Discovery Tours says her company has experienced a rise in Australian tourists who travel to Queensland to “enjoy the tropical weather and visit the Daintree and Great Barrier Reef, as well as the theme parks”.
Ms Knight says her company has recently updated their tours to incorporate additional ‘outdoor nature-based and cultural activities’.
“Recently, we do a lot more outdoor interactive activates by letting the tourists feed the fish and the turtles, and swim to get out into it all. We also incorporate the cultural element by doing personalised charters up to Mossman Gorge which has a large indigenous community”, said Ms Knight.
Source: Daintree Discovery Tours
