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Record numbers visited The Whitsundays in 2022

Tourism in The Whitsundays broke all records with 923,000 domestic visitors, spending $1.5billion dollars - increase of 179 percent on 2019

In 2022 tourism in The Whitsundays broke all records. Recent National Visitor Survey (NVS) data revealed that 923,000 domestic visitors, spent $ 1.5 billion dollars – this is an increase of 179 percent on 2019 data.

The numbers are a testament to the wide variety of experiences available and the unique location, visitors to The Whitsundays stayed a total of 4.9 million nights in the year to 30 September 2022, an increase of 73 percent based on 2019 figures.

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Commenting on the survey, Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer, Rick Hamilton said these results just cement what everyone in The Whitsundays already knows, The Whitsundays is the best place to holiday.

“Select domestic markets have always known about the attraction of The Whitsundays, but the growth we are seeing in domestic visitation shows that more of Australia is now familiar and confident about this unique holiday experience.

Images supplied by Tourism Whitsundays

“These results once again underline the significant contribution tourism makes here. As a region we rely on tourism for 1 in 3 jobs. We have world-class operators, accommodation options and businesses all working to deliver outstanding holidays to vacationers in The Whitsundays, whatever their budget,” Mr Hamilton said.

While there has been a record increase in interstate travellers, 274,000 up 18.9 percent on 2019, it is Queenslanders who are making up 69 percent of visitors.

“It is encouraging to see more of Australia discovering and experiencing The Whitsundays because we can compete with anywhere in the world for the range of experiences, unique attractions and location,” Mr Hamilton said. “However, Queenslanders are taking advantage of The Whitsundays, which is right on their doorstep.

Tourism Whitsundays Chair, Julie Telford understands why The Whitsundays is getting record visitation from inter and intra-state travellers.

“Queensland is such a diverse State and travelling within its border can take you through the rainforest, outback, surf beaches and the wonderful Whitsundays by car, bus, train, plane and boat. It’s no wonder we’ve seen so many Queenslanders rediscover their love of The Whitsundays.

“Visitors are staying an average of 5.2 nights this year, increasing almost a day compared to results from March 2022 because there’s so much to do and enjoy in The Whitsundays that every minute of that time can be booked onto a different experience,” said Ms Telford.

Images supplied by Tourism Whitsundays

The Whitsundays is the most tourism-reliant area in Queensland with 1 in 3 jobs directly related to tourism, and 40 percent of all visitation to the Great Barrier Reef departing from within the region.

To view The Whitsundays destination video, click here.

For more information on National Visitation Survey data, please click here.

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