International visitor numbers are on the rise according to data released by Tourism Tropical North Queensland last week from the International Visitor Survey.

The survey showed an increase in international visitors to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef for the year ending September 2010 t.

Rob Giason, CEO of Tourism Tropical North Queensland said “The three priority markets we have identified for the region, Japan, New Zealand and China have posted great results for the year ending September 2010.”

The Japan market has apparently turned around since the resumption of flights between Osaka and Cairns in April 2010. Holiday visitor numbers from Japan had almost reached 100,000 when the survey was taken, with the number of holiday nights in the region up by 24%.

Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef outperformed Queensland and Australia in holiday visitor growth from New Zealand and China, thanks partly to a boost in aviation capacity of 3% from New Zealand.

Pacific Blue joined Air New Zealand on the trans-Tasman route in March 2010, and according to TTNQ, the region can expect further positive holiday visitor numbers from New Zealand when Jetstar’s Auckland to Cairns service commences in April 2011.

The appeal of our region with Chinese visitors continues to grow with the number of holiday visitors increasing by 79%, and the number of nights spent on holiday in the region was up 51%.

TTNQ said that visitation from other markets such as Europe held up well, while the UK is still feeling the effects of the GFC.

The decline from the US market has slowed with total holiday nights from the US increasing by 3% although there were 6% fewer US holiday visitors, indicating a trend to longer stays in Cairns and Great Barrier Reef.