International visitors spent an extra $200 million in Queensland in the year to September, with a record number of Chinese visitors delivering the extra boost for the tourism industry.

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said new figures released today in Tourism Research Australia’s latest International Visitor Survey showed more than two million international visitors spent $4 billion on trips to Queensland.

“This result represents a four per cent increase in international visitors and a five per cent increase in international visitor spending in the year to September 2013 compared with the previous year,” Ms Stuckey said.

“The tourism industry suffered under years of neglect by Labor.  This strong result today is a testament to the Newman Government’s DestinationQ initiatives to restore this key pillar of the economy.

“This Government set the goal to double annual overnight visitor expenditure from $15 billion to $30 billion by 2020. Strong international visitor growth puts Queensland on the path to achieving this.”

Ms Stuckey said inbound tourism to Queensland had continued to perform strongly during the year across a number of the state’s key international visitor markets.“

Queensland continues to lead tourism growth out of China, with the survey confirming our state is the preferred holiday destination for Chinese travellers to Australia,” she said.“

A record 312,000 Chinese visitors spent $585 million in the year to September, increases of 26 and 30 per cent on the previous year.“Tropical North Queensland recorded the highest increase of Chinese visitors to the state, with 144,000 travelling in the year to September 2013 - an increase of more than 41 per cent.”

Ms Stuckey said overall the tropical north retained its position as the most popular holiday destination in the state amongst international travellers welcoming 644,000 travellers, up 15 per cent on last year.“

The Whitsundays recorded its strongest growth in years with international visitors increasing 11 per cent and international visitor spend soaring 19 per cent compared with the previous year,” she said.The survey also indicated a series of sporting events including the British and Irish Lions and current Ashes tours had kept Queensland top of mind amongst UK travellers during the year.“

Queensland recorded an overall nine per cent increase in UK travellers to 206,000, more than double the national result, boosted by a 14 per cent increase in UK holidaymakers,” she said.

For more information on the latest International Visitor Survey visit – www.tq.com.au/research