Tourism surge for City of Moreton Bay

Freshly released tourism data has revealed 4.6 million people visited the City of Moreton Bay in year-ending June 2023, a 30 per cent jump compared to the previous year (3.2 million).

During the past year, 4.1 million visitors stayed overnight in Moreton Bay, a staggering 75 per cent increase compared to 2022 and dwarfing the Sunshine Coast’s percentage growth of 31 per cent during the same period.

The Tourism Research Australia data revealed Moreton Bay visitor numbers (4.6 million) equalled the Outback Queensland (1.9 million), Fraser Coast (1.6 million) and Whitsundays (1.2 million) regions combined, with visitors to Moreton Bay collective spending $1.2 billion, a 30 per cent jump compared to last year.

The research also revealed visitors staying in commercial accommodation in the City of Moreton Bay increased by 40 per cent compared to 2022, with visitor per-day-spending up 12 per cent to $126 and overnight visitor per-day-spending up 37 per cent to $224.

Moreton Bay Region Industry & Tourism CEO Tash Wheeler says day trips to the spectacular Moreton Bay region are the most popular getaway.

“More than 4.6 million tourists have recently escaped the daily grind of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast and the Scenic Rim to relax and unwind in the Moreton Bay region,” Ms Wheeler says.

“There is a line-up to get in and the research proves it’s up, up and away at Moreton Bay.

“Moreton Bay is unique and distinctive, and visitors are discovering the beauty and attractions of the region, all the way from the bay to the hinterland.

“Visitors are flocking to the region to experience the world-famous Food + Wine Festival, the remarkable Abbey Medieval Festival, the extraordinary Welcome to the Whales migration and the amazing Redcliffe KiteFest, which transforms the sky above Moreton Bay into a sea of colour.”