The latest Tourism Research Australia data for the year ending December 2024 shows that overall visitor spending climbed to a record $11.3 billion, fuelled by an unprecedented 53.7 million nights in the city — cementing Brisbane as one of Australia’s most popular destinations.

Brisbane’s corporate travel sector is booming, with domestic business visitors increasing 13.5% to 2.1 million, and business visitor nights skyrocketing 30.5% YoY to a record 5.8 million.

Additionally, Brisbane’s popularity with southern states hit new heights, with visitors from Victoria up a record 28.1% YoY to 1.1 million, and visitors from New South Wales, up 18.1% YoY to 2 million.

Internationally, the data shows Brisbane’s appeal is stronger than ever, welcoming record numbers of visitors from New Zealand and India, alongside a record 18.2 million visitor nights from Asia. South Korea is leading the charge at 2.8 million nights — up 37.2% on 2019 while Indonesian traveller nights jumped by a record 127.5% in the same period.

International visitors were also staying longer in Brisbane, increasing their average length of stay to 22 nights, up by 3.7 nights.

Brisbane highlights:

• Total overnight visitor expenditure – $11.3 billion, 11.2% YoY – RECORD

• Total visitors – 9.4 million, up 11.1% YoY – RECORD

• Total visitor nights – 53.7 million nights, up 14.7% YoY – RECORD

• Domestic expenditure – $8.2 billion, up 13.5% YoY – RECORD

• Domestic visitors – 8.1 million visitors, up 11.2% YoY – RECORD

• Domestic visitor nights – 25.6 million nights, up 16.8% YoY – RECORD

• Domestic business visitor nights – 5.8 million, up 30.5% - RECORD

• Victoria total visitors – 1.1 million, up 28.1% YoY – RECORD

• Melbourne visitor nights – 3.3 million, up 56.2% YoY – RECORD

• International visitor nights – 28.1 million nights, up 3.7% on 2019 – RECORD

• Asia total nights – 18.2 million nights, up 7.5% on 2019 – RECORD
  
  

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane’s popularity continued to grow with travellers across the globe.

“Brisbane is Australia’s lifestyle capital and our booming visitor economy is a win for local jobs and businesses,” Cr Schrinner said.

“With world-class dining, accommodation, and tourism there is more to see and do in Brisbane than ever before.

“International and interstate visitors are captivated by Brisbane’s vibrant lifestyle precincts and tourism offerings, opting to extend their stays and make the most of their time in Brisbane.

“Whether it’s for business or leisure the demand from international and interstate visitors continues to soar, driving growth across the city and making Brisbane even better.”

Brisbane Economic Development Agency Chief Executive Officer Anthony Ryan said Brisbane continues to shine nationally and globally as a world-class leisure and business destination, fuelling Brisbane’s growth.

“Building on brand Brisbane, BEDA and key partners are elevating the city's profile by securing global business conferences, major events, and investment opportunities,” Mr Ryan said.

“In a stunning two-year transformation, expanded aviation networks have ignited a tourism boom, shattering records with an unprecedented $11.3 billion in visitor spending and a record-breaking 18.2 million visitor nights from Asia.

“While the year started with some challenges, these results prove Brisbane is well-positioned to sustain its tourism momentum, driving long-term economic benefits into 2025.”

BEDA is the city’s key driver of tourism, events and investment, and the Regional Tourism Organisation for Brisbane and the five surrounding councils including Moreton Bay, Scenic Rim, Ipswich, Logan and Redlands Coast.

Brisbane’s National Visitor Survey results – Year ending December 2024

• Holiday visitors – 2.5 million, up 7.8% YoY– RECORD

• Business visitors – 2.1 million visitors, up 13.5% YoY

• Visiting friends and family – 3 million, up 9.8% YoY

• Interstate visitors – 3.6 million, up 15.3% YoY

• Interstate total visitor nights – 14.1 million nights, up 23.6% – RECORD

• Interstate holiday visitors – 926,000, up 8.1% – RECORD

• Intrastate visitors – 4.5 million visitors, up 8.2% YoY – RECORD

• Intrastate visitor nights – 11.5 million, up 9.4% – RECORD

• Intrastate holiday visitor nights – 3.9 million, up 14.2% – RECORD

• Intraregional (BNE to BNE) visitors – 1.3 million, up 18% – RECORD

• Tropical North Queensland visitors – 203,000, up 18.1% – RECORD
  
  

Brisbane’s International Visitor Survey results – Year ending December 2024

• Total expenditure – $3.1 billion, up 7.7% on 2019

• Total visitors – 1.3 million visitors, down 13.7% on 2019

• Average length of stay – 22 nights, up 3.7 nights on 2019

• Visiting friends and family – 420,000 visitors, down 7.6% on 2019

• Business visitors – 139,000 visitors, down 1.3% on 2019
  
  

Source markets to Brisbane

• Sydney visitors – 998,000 visitors, up 6.2% YoY

• Sydney visitor nights – 3.3 million, up 13.5% YoY

• Melbourne visitors – 764,000, up 16.9% YoY

• New South Wales total visitors – 2 million, up 18.1% YoY

• Victoria total visitor nights – 4.4 million nights, up 47.3% YoY– RECORD

• Regional Victoria total visitor – 312,000 visitors, up 67.3% YoY– RECORD

• Regional Victoria visitor nights – 1.1 million nights, up 26.1% YoY – RECORD

• New Zealand – 250,000, up 8.9% on 2019 – RECORD

• United Kingdom – 141,000, up 9.6% on 2019

• United States of America – 112,000, up 2.3% on 2019

• China – 110,000, down 60.4% on 2019

• South Korea, 59,000 up 37.7% on 2019

• South Korea total nights – 2.8 million nights, up 37.2% on 2019 – RECORD

• India – 53,000, up 22% on 2019 – RECORD

• Japan – 46,000, down 2.2% on 2019

• Indonesia – 19,000, up 14% on 2019

• Indonesia total nights – 769,000 nights, up 127.5% on 2019 – RECORD