The data showed Queensland’s overall tourism continued to grow out of the wreckage of the pandemic, however June quarter figures for the state were down significantly on the same time last year, which could be attributed to the re-opening rush in mid-2022 when borders were opened.

Queensland recorded $33.2 billion in overnight visitor spending for the year. Significantly, it picked up market share.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said $33 billion was “a huge injection” for the Queensland economy. About 75 per cent was spent in the regions.

“These terrific results show the continued hard work and commitment of Queensland tourism operators to build back better post-pandemic and shine on the national and international stage,” she said.

Tropical North Queensland had a record number of domestic visitors in the past year, as did the Gold Coast, while Mackay and Outback Queensland enjoyed record domestic visitor spending.

Nationally, overnight spending was up 57 per cent on 2022 to $108 billion and up 1 per cent for the June quarter.

Compared with 2019, the results for the financial year of 2023 was an increase of $30 billion in spending, but overnight trips were down by almost 2 million

Visitor spending in Brisbane hit a record $6.9 billion for the year, well up from the 2019 levels for the city. International tourism was still down significantly on 2019.

Brisbane’s popularity was also reflected by the recent listing of the Calile Hotel as one of the best in the world. Time Magazine also listed Brisbane among its 50 extraordinary destinations.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane’s lifestyle was a major attraction.

He said visitors from NSW, Victoria and WA generated 3.2 million interstate visitor nights in the capital, an increase of 17 per cent on 2019.

“After years of closed borders it’s fantastic to see travellers from across the world take advantage of international travel once more,” Schrinner said.

Brisbane City Council said about 200,000 international vistors came to the city in the six months to June, mostly from traditional markets like New Zealand, the UK and US. This was 11 per cent down on the 2019 result.

Travellers from India recorded the largest increase, up almost 10 per cent on 2019. Direct flights from Canada to Brisbane led to a 6 per cent increase in the June quarter.

Tourism Whitsundays said it had 765,000 domestic visitors for the year ending June 2023, marking an 11.7 per cent increase over the past three years.

“These visitors to The Whitsundays are still choosing to extend their stay to 5.5 nights, immersing themselves in the region’s breathtaking landscapes and world-class offerings. The total number of domestic visitor nights reached an impressive 4.2 million as of 30 June, 2023, marking a substantial 19.5 per cent increase over the past three years,” the organisation said.