The latest Tourism Research Australia data also showed that 1.4 million international visitors stayed a record 31.7 million nights in Brisbane (up 17.3%), including 605,000 international holiday visitors, who stayed a record 9.2 million holiday visitor nights (up 24%).

The result comes despite global uncertainty and cost pressures affecting travellers, underscoring Brisbane’s pull as a destination for major events, distinctive experiences and first-class hospitality.

Brisbane captured 37% of the state’s total domestic visitor spending, reaching $13.7 billion with 9.7 million overnight visitors staying 27 million nights.

Across Queensland, nearly half of all day trips (49%) were to Brisbane, with day trip expenditure reaching $4.9 billion.

New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and China remained Brisbane’s largest international source markets, while Japanese visitors increased a record 22.8% year-on-year.

Visitors from China surged to 145,000 in 2026, up 29.6% year-on-year, while UK visitation also saw a 12.1% rise year-on-year to152,000 visitors, driven by major events including the British & Irish Lions Tour, The Ashes, and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the record visitor figures proved Brisbane's star continued to rise on the national and global stage.

"Brisbane is winning the race for visitors, with more people than ever choosing our city for its major events, vibrant lifestyle and unique experiences," Cr Schrinner said.

"The momentum behind Brisbane is undeniable and these record results show we're attracting bigger crowds, capturing global attention and converting it into longer stays.

"Visitors aren't just coming to Brisbane - they're immersing themselves in everything our city has to offer, from world-class events and dining to our iconic river and outdoor lifestyle.

"Every additional visitor and every extra night stayed helps drive our economy, support local businesses, create jobs and ensures Brisbane continues to thrive."

Brisbane Economic Development Agency CEO Anthony Ryan said the results reflected the strength of the city’s visitor offer.

“These results point to a stronger, more competitive Brisbane, with record international spend adding significant value to the city’s $17.8 billion visitor economy,” Mr Ryan said.

“New experiences such as Bluey’s World, which has attracted more than 500,000 visitors and generated more than $156.9 million in economic activity, show how Brisbane is creating compelling reasons for visitors to choose the city, stay longer and return.

“With the numbers already reflecting the impact of our Brisbane Favours the Bold and Alive with Opportunity campaigns, and a strong pipeline of business events driving high-value visitation, Brisbane is firmly on the global stage.

“When you also include Rugby World Cup 2027 and the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games ahead, our opportunity to convert this pipeline of momentum into sustained global attention across priority markets becomes tangible.

“By working with industry, we can convert that visibility into year-round demand for Brisbane’s hotels, tourism operators, lifestyle precincts and experiences.”

Brisbane’s Domestic Tourism Statistics (DoTS) results – Year ending March 2026

• Total visitor expenditure (includes day trips and overnight): $13.7 billion (37% of visitor spend in Queensland)
• Domestic overnight expenditure: $8.9 billion (32% of OVE in Queensland)
• Day trip expenditure: $4.9 billion (49% of visitor day trip spend in Queensland)
• Domestic visitors: 9.7 million (37% of visitors to Queensland)
• Domestic visitor nights: 27.2 million
• Holiday visitors: 3.4 million (29% of Queensland holiday visitors)
• Holiday visitor spend: $3.9 billion (25% of Queensland holiday spend)
• Business visitors: 1.1 million (43% of Queensland business visitors)
• Business visitor spend: $1.6 billion (52% of Queensland business spend)

Brisbane’s International Visitor Survey (IVS) results – Year ending March 2026

• Total international expenditure: $4.1 billion (+45.1% YoY) – RECORD
• Total visitors: 1.4 million (+5.4% YoY)
• Visitor nights: 31.7 million (+17.3% YoY) – RECORD
• Holiday visitors: 605,000 (+1.7% YoY)
• Holiday visitor nights: 9.2 million (+24% YoY) – RECORD
• Average length of stay: 23.4 nights
• Average spend per visitor: $3,053 (+37.6% YoY)
• Average spend per night: $130 (+23.7% YoY)

Brisbane’s Top international source markets, International Visitor Survey (IVS) results – Year ending March 2026

• New Zealand – 244,000 (-1.5% YoY)
• United Kingdom – 152,000 (+12.1% YoY)
• China – 145,000 (+29.6% YoY)
• United States – 103,000 (-12.2% YoY)
• Japan – 55,000 (+22.8% YoY) – RECORD, Japanese visitor nights: 2.5 million (+14.2% YoY) – RECORD
• Singapore – 37,000 (+53.7% YoY)