The figures, released Wednesday in Tourism Research Australia’s National Visitor Survey quarterly report, show domestic visitation to FNQ is up almost six per cent over the year before. 

About 1.6 million Aussies have made the trip up in the 12 months before March this year, spending about 1.7 billion dollars.

State tourism minister Jann Stuckey hailed the release of the figures as a boon for the region’s tourism industry. 

“This is great news for the Far North and will be a huge boost to the region’s tourism industry as well as local businesses,” said Ms Stuckey.

“The intrastate holiday market increased 13 per cent to 556,000, with the majority of visitors being from Brisbane or from within the TNQ region.

“Far North holidays were also popular with Sydneysiders with travel from the key interstate market also increasing eight per cent to more than 400,000 visitors during the year to March 2014,” she said.

Douglas Shire Councillor Bruce Clarke agreed that increased visitor numbers were always good news for the Douglas region, even despite obstructions like Port Douglas Road works. 

“It’s absolutely good news - the more the merrier,” he said. 

“This time of year is our peak tourism season so it’s great to get these figures at the same time. 

“Even the roadworks at Port Douglas Road don’t seem to be stopping the tourists from coming.”

Member for Cairns Gavin King said events like the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in April, ATE14 in May and Cairns Airport Adventure Festival also provided strong support for the tourism industry in Tropical North Queensland.

“The figures released today represent a six per cent increase in domestic visitor spending in Queensland over a three-year trend and we will continue to work hard to sustain these great results,” he said.

“Our focus is on preserving and growing the value of the domestic market, remembering the many Queenslanders who holiday within our state and many Australians who visit Queensland.”