New data published today by Tourism Research Australia shows in the year ending June 2025 Brisbane drew 594,000 international holidaymakers, surging 15% year-on-year. These travellers stayed longer too, driving holiday visitor nights to a record-breaking 7.5 million.

International visitors spent $3.1 billion in the city, fuelled by unprecedented growth from source markets including Taiwan, France, and Scandinavia.

China visitation grew 21.8% in line with an increasing number of direct flights, while Japanese visitor nights soared to a record 2.2 million, underlining Brisbane’s global appeal.

Brisbane led the state’s domestic visitor economy from January to June 2025, claiming over a third total visitation and expenditure and half of the state’s day-trip spending, bolstering the city’s status as hub for both leisure and business.

Additionally, the city’s corporate travel sector shone, with domestic business visitors contributing 49% of Queensland’s total business spend - an $895 million injection into Brisbane’s economy.

Brisbane highlights:

• International holiday visitor nights – 7.5 million nights, up 31.4% YoY – RECORD
•  37% of Queensland’s total visitation (4.7 million visitors)
• 35% of Queensland’s total visitor expenditure ($5.8 billion)
• 30% of Queensland’s visitor nights (13.4 million)
• 50% of Queensland’s day-trip expenditure ($2.1 billion)

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane’s popularity as a global destination continued to grow, creating momentum extending well beyond tourism.

“Brisbane is Australia’s lifestyle capital, and millions of people are choosing to experience the very best of our region – boosting local businesses and supercharging Queensland’s visitor economy,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Visitors are drawn to our world-class dining and accommodation options, unrivalled shopping, blockbuster events and unforgettable tourism experiences.

“This record result for international visitor nights is just the beginning, as we prepare to host the world in 2032 and beyond.

“Brisbane is also shining as a business-friendly city, with a thriving corporate travel sector supporting jobs, investment, and growth across the region.”

Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) Chief Executive Officer Anthony Ryan said Brisbane’s rising global profile was fuelling record momentum for the city’s visitor economy.

“The data show visitors are staying longer and immersing themselves in the region’s diverse activities and attractions, boosted by BEDA’s award-winning Brisbane Favours the Bold campaign,” Mr Ryan said.

“Brisbane remains Queensland’s number one visitor destination and Australia’s third-largest tourism region in both overnight visitors and expenditure, underscoring the city’s growth.

“BEDA is proud to collaborate with partners to continue elevating Brisbane’s global profile as a world-class destination, attracting major events and business events - such as Magic Round Brisbane and Australian Tourism Exchange - while supporting new and expanding aviation routes.”

Brisbane’s Domestic Tourism Statistics (DoTS) results – January to June 2025

• Domestic expenditure – $5.8 billion, 35.3% of visitor spend in Queensland
• Day trip expenditure – $2.1 billion, 50.2% of visitor day trip spend in Queensland
• Domestic visitors – 4.7 million visitors, 37% of all visitors to Queensland
• Domestic visitor nights – 13.4 million nights, 30% of total visitor nights in Queensland
• Holiday visitors – 1.4 million visitors, 27% of holiday visitors to Queensland
• Business visitors – 775,000 visitors, 41% of business visitors to Queensland
• Business visitor spend – $894.7 million, 49% of business visitors spend in Queensland
• Visiting friends and family – 2 million visitors, 45% of VFR visitors to Queensland

Brisbane’s International Visitor Survey results – Year ending June 2025

• Total expenditure – $3.1 billion, down 3% YoY
• Total visitors – 1.3 million visitors, up 2.8% YoY
• Visitor nights – 26.2 million nights, down 3.4% YoY
• Holiday visitor nights – 7.5 million nights, up 31.4% YoY – RECORD
• Holiday visitors – 594,000 visitors, up 15% YoY
• Education visitors – 56,000 visitors, up 1% YoY

Source markets to Brisbane

• New Zealand – 247,000, up 2.7% YoY
• United Kingdom – 137,000, up 0.6% YoY
• China – 115,000, up 21.8% YoY
• United States of America – 112,000, down 1.8% YoY
• South Korea, 60,000 down 3.1% YoY
• Japanese Nights – 2.2 million, up 13.2% YoY – RECORD
• Taiwan – 39,000, up 46.8% YoY
• Scandinavia – 22,000, up 27.2% YoY
• France – 29,000 up 24.7% YoY
• Hong Kong – 19,000, up 23.6% YoY
• India – 51,000, up 13.5% YoY