Domestic Visitors Return In Record Numbers To Gold Coast

New tourism figures released today show a total 12 million domestic visitors converged on the nation's premier holiday hotspot in record numbers.

In the 12 months to March 2019, domestic overnight visitation grew by 17 per cent to a record 4 million according to the latest National Visitor Survey* (NVS) figures.

The number of Brisbane overnight visitors spiked by 37.7 per cent to a record 1.4 million, contributing to the strong gains as intrastate source markets yielded a record 1.9 million overnight visitors, growing by 21 per cent.

Key domestic source markets of Sydney and Melbourne saw visitation increase by 5.9 per cent and 1.7 per cent respectively, to draw a collective 2.1 million overnight interstate tourists, up 13.1 per cent year-on-year.

Across the board, the Gold Coast outperformed Australia and Queensland's growth in spend, visitation and visitor nights.

Record overnight visitation was met with record-breaking spend as figures show overnight expenditure topped $3.6 billion, growing by a massive 22.6 per cent.

Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista said visitors that had delayed their holidays in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games a year ago, had returned in great numbers.

"We had a quieter March quarter in 2018, so it's thoroughly encouraging to see overnight visitors inspired to take winter breaks in our slice of paradise last year," said Ms Battista.

"Coupled with the return of Brisbane locals and a solid bumper summer period, it's clear expenditure was driven by the robust increase of 22.4 per cent in visitor nights to a staggering 15.8 million.

"This was supported by 8 million day-trippers who also spent more than $803 million, up 27 per cent for the year - which again was a record figure for the Gold Coast.

"Whilst the majority of overnight visitors were holidaymakers (2.1 million), we also welcomed 564,000 business travellers (up 41 per cent), who we know spend more than the average tourist because of the great flow-on effect for the economy.

"Over the last three consecutive quarters we have seen domestic overnight expenditure reach record levels, which is important because it tells us that our key strategy - to maintain and grow the Gold Coast's domestic market share - is resonating with our target markets," she said.

"Along with our industry partners and the Queensland Government, Destination Gold Coast has invested more than $5 million in marketing this year alone, to entice families to come and play on the Gold Coast."