STRONG DOMESTIC DEMAND FUELS BUNDABERG VISITOR ECONOMY

Visitation to the Bundaberg and Southern Great Barrier Reef is thriving, with summer predicted to be another strong season for the region.

Domestic tourism continues to be the backbone of Bundaberg’s visitor economy, delivering the majority of visitation and spend across the region, according to the latest data from Tourism Research Australia.

For the nine months to September 2025, domestic visitors spent $1.5 billion in the Bundaberg and Southern Great Barrier Reef region, accounting for more than five per cent of Queensland’s total domestic tourism market. Overnight domestic visitor expenditure reached $1.1 billion, supported by 1.5 million overnight visitors and 4.8 million visitor nights.

Tourism Research Australia data shows intrastate travellers made up 90 per cent of domestic visitation and 79 per cent of domestic expenditure, while interstate visitors, although smaller in volume, contributed 21 per cent of total domestic spend, highlighting their high-value impact.

Holiday travel remained the largest domestic segment, with 595,000 holiday visitors generating $549 million in expenditure, alongside strong contributions from business travel and visitors staying with friends and relatives.

International visitation also recorded strong growth, with overnight visitor expenditure reaching a record $139.4 million in the year ending September 2025, driven by longer stays and increased spend. Bundaberg Tourism CEO Katherine Reid said the figures reinforced the critical role domestic travel plays in sustaining the region’s tourism industry year-round.

“Domestic visitors are the engine room of our visitor economy,” Ms Reid said.

“They account for the overwhelming majority of our visitors and continue to deliver strong, consistent economic benefit to businesses across the region.”

Ms Reid said Bundaberg’s appeal to the Queensland market was providing a solid platform as the region heads into the summer holiday season.

“These results show Bundaberg is resonating strongly with Australians looking for relaxed, nature-rich holidays over summer,” she said.

“Our continued track record of growth gives our industry confidence heading into summer, while international markets continue to rebuild.”