Coast to Coast Marketing Research

							                     MEDIA RELEASE                                                              MARCH 2010


                     GOLD COAST LEADS INTERNATIONAL TOURISM TURNAROUND

                     International visitors to the Gold Coast increased 2.3% in the 12 months from
                     January 2009 to December 2009, and they spent just over $1 billion in the tourism
                     capital according to figures released today by Tourism Research Australia.

                     Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter said the positive gain was made even more
                     satisfying with the achievement of an 8.4% increase in Japanese visitors and a 12%
                     increase in Chinese visitors, two markets which have been the focus of increased
                     efforts by the destination marketing organisation.

                     “Gold Coast Tourism is leading Australia’s tourism industry and clearly our
                     international strategy is working, proven by our ability to attract a 2.3 per cent
                     increase in international visitors while global travel has fallen by 4 per cent and
                     international travel to Queensland also declined 4 per cent,” he said.

                     “And the work we have put in to turn our Japanese visitation around is paying real
GOLD COAST TOURISM




                     dividends, our partnerships with Gold Coast Airport, Jetstar Airlines and Tourism
                     Queensland have delivered an 8.4 per cent increase from Japan, that’s the best
                     result in a number of years.”

                     Tourism and Transport Forum Australia National Manager for Tourism, Evan Hall
                     suggests the tried and true formula of providing exceptional value for money has
                     continued to pave the way for the Gold Coast.

                     “The Gold Coast has outperformed numerous other destinations in regards to the
                     international market by providing good value tourism experiences, backed by
                     effective marketing by Gold Coast Tourism, State Government and Industry,” said Mr
                     Hall.

                     “The recovery in the Japanese market is unique to the Gold Coast and will instil
                     added confidence in tourism businesses and investors, while the very good news has
                     been the Gold Coast’s success in attracting the next generation of visitors out of
                     China.”

                     International Visitors and Spend on the Gold Coast
                          International Visitors = 813,000 (up 2.3%)
                          International Visitor Spend = $1.012 billion (up 0.4%)

                     Top Three International Source Markets by Visitor Number for the Gold Coast
                         New Zealand Visitors = 204,000 (down 3.3%)
                         Japan Visitors = 116,000 (up 8.4%)
                         China Visitors = 102,000 (up 12%)

                     Best Performing International Source Markets by Visitor Growth for the Gold Coast
                         USA Visitors = 33,553 (up 22%)
                         Taiwan Visitors = 23,795 (up 29.4%)
                         United Kingdom Visitors = 71,926 (up 8%)


                     Source: Tourism Research Australia – International Visitor Survey, Year Ending
                     December, 2009.

                     Note: Tourism Research Australia – National Visitor Survey will be released
                     Wednesday 10 March 2009, it will outline visitation from within Australia.
                     ENDS.


                     For further comment please contact:
                     Gold Coast Tourism Director Communications and Marketing Services, Ben Pole
                     0437 343 104 or ben.pole@gctourism.com
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