Queensland has recorded solid domestic tourism growth for the year ending December 2017, reports Tourism & Events Queensland.

Domestic overnight visitors spent a record $15.8 billion in the state, a jump of 4.7% from the previous year. This growth can be related to the 4.9% increase in visitors to the state for the same period. The length of time the 21.8 million visitors stayed also saw a firm increase to 86.5 million nights, up by 4.3%. The reasons for travel saw increases in each category with regards to expenditure; holiday up 3.9% with a total $7.2 million, visiting of family or relatives (VFR) up 5.8% to $2.38 million, and business up 3.7% to $2.43 million.

The interstate visitation figures show growth of 6% to 6.6 million visitors which spent $7.5 billion, an increase of 5.3%. Intrastate visitors increased by 4.4% to 15.2 million, and spent $8.3 billion, a 4.1% increase on the previous year.

Specific to Brisbane, domestic overnight expenditure saw staggering growth of 15.3% to a total of $4.106 billion, with visitation up by 7.7% up 6.5 million people. The purpose of travel also saw increases in each category; holiday grew by 7.5% to a record-high 1.7 million, business increased by 11.8% to 1.7 million, and VFR was up by 2.7% to 2.5 million.

The report noted Brisbane’s excellent results were likely to be attributed to major events including the State of Origin, Battle of Brisbane Jeff Horne V Pacquiao boxing fight, and the November Ashes matches.

Positive results were reflected nation-wide with total domestic overnight visitors within Australia increasing year on year by 7.1% to a total of 97 million with total expenditure of $64.5 billion which is an increase of 5.8%. Holiday led the charge as reason for travel with regards to expenditure, capturing $27 billion (increase of 5.8%), followed by VFR with a 6.4% increase to $10.38b.