New International and Domestic visitation statistics released

The recent release of the International and Domestic Visitation survey for the year ending September 2018 has shown impressive growth for the Southern Great Barrier Reef (SGBR) consisting of Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Ltd (GAPDL), Capricorn Enterprise (CE), Bundaberg Tourism (BT) and Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ).

Across the regions, the International expenditure has risen dramatically by 15.5% to a record high of $106.7m while the SGBR has experienced never seen before numbers with over 22,000 travellers from across the Tasman, equating to an increase of 55.3%.

Domestically the records continue the positive trend with 2.1 million visitors to the region, rising by 10.2% and likewise an increase of 17.3% has seen spending now at over $1.2b.

Collectively, the International and Domestic expenditure now boasts a record high of over $1.3b.

Holiday makers have climbed by 14% to 766,000, with intra state numbers rising by 8.1% and interstate growing by 25% year on year to 160,000.

Darryl Branthwaite CEO of GAPDL says, “it is no accident that these numbers have climbed as there has been so much work put into media and agent famils through the region, signage, brochures, website, business and experience development, as well as very strategic marketing across a multitude of platforms from free to air TV, digital space (social and ad space), print media as well as radio.”

“Our relationship with our neighbours to the north and south, is pivotal in the growth of the drive market, which we predominantly target, but another market which isn’t measured in the figures quoted, is about to show very rapid growth, and that’s the cruise liner industry”

The Port of Gladstone has seen 18 ships visit over the past 2.5 years, and in 2019 there are 15 already scheduled in.

Mr Branthwaite said that, ”once the day trip to the reef is established GAPDL envisage the numbers and brands of cruise liners coming to Gladstone will rise very quickly and in 2020 we feel that it’s not out of the question to see 30-40 ships book a spot at Auckland Point Berth number one and step into an amazing $70m East Shores precinct with world class facilities for any cruise ship.