Brisbane is an important tourism hub and destination with many highlights and attractions. It offers tourism operators a unique environment to conduct business in and is a vibrant and engaging destination that brings together cosmopolitan urban experiences and invigorating outdoor adventures in one neat package.
Accessibility:
Airport
Brisbane Airport has been named among the top 25 airports in the world and is the third busiest airport in Australia with more than 19 million passengers in 2009/10. The 2009 Brisbane Airport Master Plan has allowed the commencement of $4.2 billion (AUD) worth of infrastructure and improvements to be conducted over the next 20 years. Works include an expansion of the Domestic Terminal, construction of a second runway and the development of aviation-related industry precincts.
Cruise
The Cruise Terminal at Portside Wharf welcomes the majority of cruise liners that dock in Brisbane. Located on the north side of the city and home to a buzzing fashion and dining precinct, Portside Wharf is a luxury landing for cruise passengers.
Train
Brisbane’s rail service offers travellers a comprehensive network that provides easy access to key destinations including South Bank and the Roma Street Transit Centre, as well as Moreton Bay, the Scenic Rim and various destinations around Queensland. The award-winning Airtrain service provides a direct and fast journey between both airports and the city centre.
Connectivity: Once you’ve arrived, getting around Brisbane is a pleasure with the city’s first-class network of travel and transport links. The public transport system is easy, simple and cost-effective with accessibility provided through the go card – a pre-purchased electronic travel card allowing pedestrians to transfer from bus, train, CityCat and ferry services with the touch of a card. For inner-city travel, Brisbane’s free Loop bus service is a fast way for travellers to get from point A to point B, or alternatively, they can discover Brisbane by foot, an effortless journey due to the central business district’s compact structure and proximity to the Brisbane River.
Economic value: Tourism in Brisbane directly employs 36,100 Queenslanders, contributes $2.8 billion (AUD) to the Queensland economy and generates $1.36 billion (AUD) annually as an export earner. For the year ending June 2010, domestic overnight visitors spent $2.19 billion (AUD), domestic day visitors spent $1.18 billion (AUD) and international visitors spent $1.36 billion (AUD).
Location: Brisbane is located on the east coast of Australia in the south-east corner of Queensland. An attractive lifestyle location, Brisbane is the gateway to South-East Queensland with major holiday destinations such as the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast on its doorstep. Brisbane is a unique destination due to its close proximity to popular coastal and country regions including Moreton Bay and Islands, the Scenic Rim and Country Valleys.
Students: As Australia’s new world city, Brisbane is a popular destination for many international students. This group represents a niche market to promote to as we can enhance their experiences during their time in Brisbane and attract visitation by their friends and relatives. In 2010, Brisbane educational institutions received 82,852 enrolments across higher education, Vocational Education and Training, schools and English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students.
Population growth: South-East Queensland is Australia’s fastest-growing metropolitan region and as such provides a growing consumer market. From 2006 to 2031, the region’s population is expected to grow from 2.8 million to 4.4 million people. This continued growth in population will sustain the development of tourism in the Greater Brisbane region, primarily bolstered by travel from the visiting friends and relatives market.
Visitors: Brisbane attracts a high number of domestic and international visitors. There were 5,220,000 international and domestic overnight visitors to Brisbane in the year ended September 2010.
Weather: The city is blessed with an enviable subtropical climate and an average of eight hours of sunshine per day, making it the ideal holiday destination.