AUSTRALIA: Coast Tops Tourism Growth

THE FRASER Coast has topped the list for the strongest visitor growth in Queensland, according to the latest domestic tourism snapshot.

Tourism Research Australia's latest national visitor survey has shown the Fraser Coast had an increase of 21.4% to 630,000 domestic overnight visitors; nearly triple the overall Queensland total of 7.9%.

The stats show an extra 226,170 people from around the state have come to enjoy the Fraser Coast this year, giving the intrastate visitation a massive 35.9% boost.

Kingfisher Bay Resort Group general manager David Hay said the region had strong partnerships with surrounding areas, and was now benefiting from that.

"We have had another strong whale watching season and we look forward to topping the year off with some positive results coming into Christmas."

Owner and manager of Lychee Divine John Pool said the latest stats gave businesses confidence.

"It proves you get a positive outcome if you invest in tourism here, for us it's in agriculture," he said.

While Queenslanders can't get enough of the Fraser Coast, travellers from other states aren't as keen.

The latest snapshot shows a 13% drop in interstate visitors, and a 3% decrease in visitor's booked nights, and visitor expenditure for the Fraser Coast was $310.3 million, down 7%.

Fraser Coast Opportunities interim general manager Leigh Bennett said FCO was conscious of the drop in expenditure and room night numbers.

"The coming months will see an emphasis on developing itineraries and continuing to broaden our message to entice visitors to stay an extra day or two, spending even more..." he said.

2.8% more holiday visitors visited the Fraser Coast compared to a Queensland-wide decline of 4.3%.