International tourists are breaking spending records across Australia, with visitors extending their stays beyond pre-COVID-19 levels. According to Tourism Research Australia, international tourists spent $30.9 billion in the country in the year ending March 2024, slightly surpassing pre-pandemic figures.
Over half of Australia’s states and territories have surpassed 2019 spending levels. South Australia led the pack, with spending reaching 120% of pre-COVID levels, followed by Western Australia at 111%, NSW at 105%, and Queensland at 102%.
In the year leading up to March 2024, international travelers stayed longer and spent more per trip than before the pandemic. Trips to Australia reached 84% of 2019 levels, with the average spend per trip increasing by 25%, and the average stay length exceeding pre-pandemic levels at 37 nights.
Acting Western Australian tourism minister John Carey celebrated the state’s achievement, noting it surpassed growth targets with $17.9 billion spent by international and domestic tourists. “These outstanding results demonstrate WA’s global reputation as a premier destination with exceptional tourism and hospitality experiences, attracting travelers from around the world,” he said.
Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast reached their highest ever total overnight spending, with $3.2 billion and $371.1 million respectively. Tourism and Events Queensland chief executive Patricia O’Callaghan emphasized the state’s resilience and growth. Since COVID-19, Queensland’s tourism sector has been on a roller-coaster journey, facing the challenges of travel restrictions and then experiencing the remarkable highs of a domestic tourism boom,” she said. “We are now moving into a new phase of normalization, with positive signs emerging despite ongoing challenges.
NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, and the ACT saw increased visitor spending compared to the last quarter of 2023, though they have not yet reached pre-pandemic levels.
Domestic tourism remained stable in the first quarter of 2024, with spending similar to the same period in 2023. During the quarter, Australians took 28.8 million domestic trips and spent $27.4 billion. Spending increased by 6% for travelers to capital cities but decreased by 4% for those visiting outlying areas.
