International tourists are setting spending records across Australia, with visitors staying longer than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Tourism Research Australia, international tourists spent $30.9 billion in Australia in the year ending March 2024, slightly surpassing pre-pandemic spending levels.
Half of Australia’s states and territories exceeded 2019 spending levels. South Australia saw the greatest improvement, with spending at 120% of pre-COVID levels, followed by Western Australia (111%), NSW (105%), and Queensland (102%).
In the year to March 2024, international travellers stayed longer and spent more per trip compared to pre-COVID times. Trips to Australia reached 84% of 2019 levels, the average spend per trip increased by 25%, and the average stay exceeded pre-pandemic levels at 37 nights.
Acting Western Australian tourism minister John Carey highlighted the state’s success, noting it was ahead of target growth with $17.9 billion spent by international and domestic tourists. “These outstanding results show WA’s global reputation as a destination with incredible tourism and hospitality experiences is attracting travellers from around the world,” he said.
Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast recorded their highest total overnight spending rates ever, at $3.2 billion and $371.1 million respectively. Tourism and Events Queensland chief executive Patricia O’Callaghan noted the state’s resilience and growth. “Since COVID-19, it’s been a roller-coaster for Queensland’s tourist sector, going from the challenges of travel limitations to the spectacular highs of a domestic tourism boom” she said. “We’re now entering a new stage of normalization, with some positive indicators despite heavy headwinds.”
NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, and the ACT saw increased visitor spending compared to the last quarter of 2023 but had not yet caught up to pre-pandemic levels.
Domestic tourism remained stable in the first quarter of 2024, with spending comparable to the same period in 2023. Australians made 28.8 million domestic journeys and spent $27.4 billion during the quarter. Spending climbed by 6% for travellers to capital cities but fell by 4% for those visiting outlying locations.
