Tourism is a significant driver of Brisbane’s economy, with the opportunity to grow the visitor economy by $6.5 billion per annum by 2031.
As a rapidly growing modern city with an active outdoor lifestyle, a jam-packed events calendar and an array of natural wonders on our doorstep, Brisbane has global destination appeal. With the region’s visitor economy on the cusp of unprecedented growth, opportunities to create new visitor experiences abound.
Visitors to Brisbane and its surrounding regions already enjoy an incredibly diverse range of attractions, from award-winning restaurants, rooftop bars and Australia’s most visited art gallery to unique wildlife encounters, World Heritage rainforests, world-class beaches and islands, and opportunities to experience the world’s oldest living culture.
The tourism industry is a significant contributor to Brisbane’s economy, and has an opportunity to generate an additional AUD$6.5bn per annum in visitor expenditure by 2031. The city’s diverse visitor economy is powered by both leisure and business tourism, with a strong track record of delivering business events and conferences and a range of facilities with a global reputation for excellence.
Brisbane’s accommodation market continues to grow. Boasting 26 premium hotels from leading international and boutique Australian brands, the Brisbane accommodation market is trading at 63% occupancy with an average daily rate of $218 and Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) of $136 in 2023. Another four luxury hotels – providing over 1,000 additional hotel rooms – will come online by 2024 as part of the $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf integrated resort development.
As well as the Queen’s Wharf development, Brisbane’s infrastructure pipeline includes more than $25 billion worth of transformative projects that will make the city even more accessible for visitors. These include new Green Bridges connecting Brisbane’s popular inner-city precincts, as well as major public transport projects, such as the high-capacity, turn-up-and-go Brisbane Metro (from 2024) and Cross River Rail (from 2026).
Not only is getting around Brisbane easier than ever, but so is getting into Brisbane. Just 20 minutes from the city centre, the award-winning Brisbane Airport’s twin runway enables the highest aviation capacity in Australia, with more than 50 million passengers a year expected by 2030. The city is also home to Queensland’s first dedicated cruise facility, Brisbane International Cruise Terminal, with capacity to port for the world’s biggest cruise vessels.
Brisbane’s selection as the host city of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games further cements Brisbane’s global reputation, and provides a two-decade pipeline of opportunity for even more transformative projects.
With Brisbane positioned to see significant increases in the volume of international and domestic visitor arrivals, visitors will want more – more attractions, more accommodation, more places to enjoy local gourmet food and beverages, more marine tours and river cruises, more opportunities to engage with First Nations history and culture, and more to see, do and experience.
As the Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) for Brisbane and the five surrounding regions of Redlands, Scenic Rim, Moreton Bay, Logan and Ipswich, the Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) supports the development of new tourism products to ensure a warm welcome and memorable experiences for all visitors.
BEDA can provide businesses and prospective investors with key insights into Brisbane’s tourism industry; help to develop and execute your business case and investment strategies; advocacy for local and state developmental approvals; critical introductions to industry stakeholders and our local advisory network; confidential assistance with market and off-market property site selection and more.
Learn more about how BEDA can help you make your mark on Brisbane’s visitor economy.
