International visitors spent a record $113.3 million in Noosa in the year ending March 2024, surpassing the record-breaking figures from pre-Covid 2020.
They also stayed a record 1.1 million nights, a 30 per cent increase on pre-Covid, increasing their average length of stay from 5.4 nights to almost eight nights.
Figures released by Tourism Research Australia show New Zealand was Noosa’s highest spending international market, with a record of $29.4 million.
Tourism Noosa chief executive officer Sharon Raguse said that the international results revealed a continued increase in international visitor expenditure, with international visitors staying longer and spending more.
“The UK which is a major focus for our global activity, has been the stand-out international market,“ she said.
“Their spend almost doubled from pre-Covid to a record $29 million and their nights to a record 328,000.
“Our global activity encourages visitors to stay longer and experience more of Noosa – UK visitors increased their length of stay by almost three nights.
“While international visitor numbers of 145,000 are around 10 per cent shy on pre-Covid, their strong spending continues to be an important contributor to Noosa’s economy.
“Domestic visitation is also positive with overnight visitor spend of $1.18 billion being the second highest on record for the year ending March and 21 per cent higher than pre-Covid, bringing our total overnight visitor spend (domestic and international) to $1.3 billion.
“Domestic nights also increased, bringing the average stay to 4.2 nights, up from 3.9 last year and 4.1 pre-Covid.”
Interstate visitors out-stay Queensland holiday makers by an average of 6.3 nights compared to 2.7, and spend an average 84 per cent more per person, $1697 versus $924 for Queenslanders.
“Importantly this reflects Tourism Noosa’s consistent interstate marketing approach and our focus on encouraging our higher value interstate guests to stay just a little longer,” Sharon said.
Reflecting a trend for the State, interstate visitor numbers to Noosa (401,000) have softened to almost five per cent below last year’s figure.
The drive market from Brisbane and the Gold Coast have also softened.
“Tourism Noosa has been vigorously promoting in top international markets for several years and international visitors represent about 13 per cent of total overnight visitors to Noosa,“ Sharon said.
“The recent TRA reporting international visitor spending and visits showcases the success of this consistent and targeted approach.
“This is wonderful news for Noosa, with the rippling effect of this spending benefiting widely across the region.
“The added financial boost to our economy helps maintain existing local jobs and support new ones.“
