Brisbane’s growing skyline has hit new heights, driving record-breaking domestic holiday nights for the city’s booming tourism scene.
A surge of new hotels from five-star luxury to budget-friendly options, is helping to boost Brisbane’s visitor capacity, with the city reaching a record 7.1 million holiday nights in 2022, up 10.9 per cent compared to 2019.
This comes as Queensland’s capital city tallies a record total expenditure of $6.5 billion, up 22.3 per cent compared to 2019, according to the latest Tourism Research Australia data for the year ending December 2022.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the strong figures reflect Brisbane’s growing appeal as world-leading leisure and business destination.
“Whether you’re in Brisbane for a holiday, business trip, a blockbuster sporting event, show or staycation, there are plenty of accommodation options to choose from across the city,” Cr Schrinner said.
“More hotels means more visitors, which will be vital in the lead up to the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics, and beyond.
“Hotels play a pivotal part in supporting the visitor economy, providing a place for travellers and business delegates to stay while supporting local businesses and local jobs.”
Since 2018, Brisbane has welcomed seven new five-star hotels, increasing the city’s luxury line-up to 20 hotels and accommodation capacity to 21,000 room nights.
Anthony Ryan, CEO of Brisbane Economic Development Agency, said the city’s hotel offering had scaled to new heights.
“Brisbane’s hotel scene has exploded in recent years, particularly with a line-up of new luxury hotels opening across the city,” Mr Ryan said.
“Our hotels have become destinations in their own right, leaning into our city’s unique personality and outdoor lifestyle to create the ultimate subtropical getaway with a booming rooftop bar and pool scene.
“An additional 1,100 hotel rooms will come online as part of the new $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf development set for a staged opening from late 2023, including luxury hotels The Star Grand and Dorsett, and Brisbane’s first six-star hotel, Rosewood.”
Total expenditure – $6.5 billion, up 101.9% YoY, up 22.3% on 2019 – RECORD
Total visitors – 7.4 million visitors, up 39.7% YoY
Total visitor nights – 23.5 million nights, up 39.7% YoY
Holiday visitors – 2.3 million visitors, up 36.9% YoY
Holiday nights – 7.1 million nights, up 33.7% YoY, up 10.9% on 2019 – RECORD
Visiting friends and relatives (VFR) – 3 million visitors, up 31% YoY
VFR nights – 10.4 million nights, up 45.3% YoY, up 2.1% on 2019 – RECORD
Business visitors – 1.6 million visitors, up 85.5% YoY
Spend per visitor – $880, up 44.5% YoY
New South Wales visitors – 1.7 million visitors, up 137.5% YoY
New South Wales visitor nights – 6.4 million, up 157.3% YoY, up 5% on 2019 – RECORD
Victorian visitors – 878,000 visitors, up 263% YoY
Victorian visitor nights – 3.7 million, up 149.8 YoY, up 35.1% on 2019 – RECORD