Taiwan Influx Helps Brisbane Break Visitor Records

A massive influx of Taiwanese visitors to Brisbane has helped the city once again break a trifecta of international tourism records.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the latest International Visitor Survey from Tourism Australia revealed total overseas visitor numbers to Brisbane had climbed 4.6 per cent to an all-time high of 1.24 million in the year to September.

Total visitor expenditure reached a record-breaking $2.2 billion and the number of holidaymakers grew to an all-time high of 669,000.

“The record number of international visitors to Brisbane has been boosted by a massive jump in Taiwanese visitors, with holidaymakers from this market climbing 46.4% to 29,000,” Cr Quirk said.

“The increase in Taiwanese visitors is potentially thanks to more direct air services from Taipei to Brisbane, emphasising how an increase in direct routes to our city can help attract more visitors.

“New direct flights from Vancouver, Tokyo and Christchurch over the last couple of years have also helped contribute to a rise in international tourism.

“In the year to September, Japanese holiday visitors rose 23.7 per cent, Canadian holiday visitors climbed 31.6 per cent and New Zealand holidaymakers increased by 25.9 per cent.

“Yesterday Brisbane welcomed the first direct flight from Beijing through Air China, which will help draw more visitors from our number one international tourism market and help foster increased trade and investment.”

Cr Quirk said Brisbane Marketing worked with Tourism Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland, Brisbane Airport Corporation and airline partners on securing new air routes and conducting marketing and trade activities in various markets.

International Visitor Survey year-ending September results

Brisbane

All visitors – up 4.6% to 1.24 million

Holiday visitors – up 5.9% to 669,000

Expenditure – up 11.2% to $2.2 billion

Markets

China – All visitors up 0.2% to 222,000; Holiday visitors – down 3.1% to 162,000

New Zealand – All visitors – up 6.4% to 180,000; Holiday visitors – up 25.9% to 58,000

UK – All visitors – down 1.8% to 122,000; Holiday visitors up 1.9% to 73,000

USA – All visitors – down 1.4% to 92,000; Holiday visitors up 5.4% to 49,000

Germany – All visitors - up 1.7% to 58,000; Holiday visitors up 5.8% to 48,000

Japan – All Visitors up 10.9% to 43,000; Holiday visitors up 23.7% to 20,000

Canada – All visitors up 13.6% to 32,000; Holiday visitors up 31.6% to 21,000

Korea – All visitors down 4.7% to 38,000; Holiday visitors down 5.9% to 24,000

Hong Kong – All visitors up 3.1% to 35,000; Holiday visitors down 13.2% to 18,000

Taiwan – All visitors up 25.9% to 43,000; Holiday visitors up 46.4% to 29,000

India – All visitors up 7.2% to 30,000; Holiday visitors up 16% to 11,000

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