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.”

Brisbane’s National Visitor Survey results – Year ending December 2022

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

Interstate visitors to Brisbane

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