A Landmark Year for Tourism
The numbers speak for themselves. In the year ending December 2023, a record 51,000 visitors from India travelled to Brisbane, marking a 16.8% increase from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. This momentum continued throughout 2024, with data for the year ending September
2024 showing 77,000 visitors from India across Queensland. This growth isn't just about arrivals; it's also about economic impact. For the year ending September 2025, Indian visitors spent a remarkable A$238.9 million in Queensland, cementing India's position as one of the state's most important and fastest-recovering international markets. This surge is part of a wider trend, with India becoming Australia's fifth-largest tourism market overall in 2024, with total spending reaching A$2.6 billion nationwide.
The Strategic Welcome Mat
This boom is no accident. It's the result of a deliberate and strategic effort by Queensland's tourism bodies. Recognising India as one of the world's fastest-growing outbound travel markets, agencies like Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA), and Experience Gold Coast have launched dedicated initiatives to attract Indian travellers. This includes appointing in-market representatives in India to strengthen ties with the local travel trade and investing a substantial $200 million in partnerships with airports to secure more direct and convenient flights. Discussions with carriers like Air India about direct connectivity and new services from airlines like Malaysia Airlines providing seamless connections to 10 major Indian cities have made Queensland more accessible than ever.
More Than Just Cricket and Coastlines
While the iconic beaches of the Gold Coast and the sporting ties between the two nations are significant draws, the appeal of Queensland for Indian visitors is far more diverse. The state offers a unique blend of vibrant city life in Brisbane, thrilling adventure sports, and unparalleled natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest. Recent reports highlight that Indian travellers are drawn to experiences like hot air balloon rides at sunrise, wildlife encounters with koalas and kangaroos, and whale watching. Furthermore, a large number of visitors are travelling to see friends and family, with this segment leading the recovery in tourism and indicating deep people-to-people links. Over 94,000 Queenslanders have Indian ancestry, fostering a welcoming environment.
An Economic Powerhouse
The influx of Indian tourists provides a powerful boost to Queensland's economy. The visitor economy is a cornerstone of the state's prosperity, supporting an estimated 260,000 jobs directly and indirectly. The spending from Indian visitors flows into numerous sectors, from hotels and restaurants in bustling hubs like Brisbane and the Gold Coast to tour operators in regional areas. Brisbane alone saw record numbers of Indian visitors in the year ending December 2024, contributing to a record-breaking $11.3 billion in overall visitor spending for the city. The state has ambitious goals, aiming for the Indian market to contribute around $408 million in overnight visitor expenditure by 2032, a massive leap from pre-pandemic figures.
