More than $295 million in tourism investment is underway across Tropical North Queensland, while international visitor spending has reached a record $1.3 billion.
More than $295 million in new infrastructure is underway across Tropical North Queensland tourism in Australia, as the region records its highest international visitor spending and prepares a long-term growth strategy to 2045.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) reported international visitor spend of $1.3 billion in the year ending March 2026. This was up 27.6% from the same period a year earlier.
The results follow four years of additional destination marketing funding and coincide with major investment in accommodation, attractions and ecotourism infrastructure.
Marketing campaigns generate $267.5 million in visitor spend
John O’Sullivan, Chair of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, said government support had been important to the region’s tourism recovery and marketing activity.
In 2025-26, Cairns Regional Council contributed 26% of TTNQ’s funding. A further 14% came from the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland.
O’Sullivan said:
“The additional $18 million in Federal funding secured by TTNQ since the pandemic to drive international tourism recovery had helped to turn the global spotlight on Tropical North Queensland as the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef,” he said.
“The return on investment in both advertising value and TTNQ generated visitor spend reached $34 of visitor expenditure for every dollar invested by our partners across industry and Government.
“This is one of our best results considering the tiny budget we have in comparison to our competitors who outspend us by at least four times.
“Through these Federally funded campaigns TTNQ delivered $267.5 million in visitor spend supporting an estimated 1450 extra jobs in our community.
“Our combined campaign activity with five domestic campaigns and 67 international trade campaigns in 2025-26 alone reached our target consumers nearly 50 billion times through our publicity, digital, campaigns and trade activity.
“The results to date are promising with Tropical North Queensland’s international visitor spend reaching a record $1.3 billion in the year ending March 2026, increasing by 27.6 per cent from the same period in the previous year.”
Major accommodation and attraction projects advance
Mark Olsen, Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, said the visitor spending result had been accompanied by the region’s most substantial tourism infrastructure investment since the development of the three Crystalbrook hotels.
Among the projects nearing completion is Hilton Palm Cove Cairns Resort & Spa.
Meanwhile, work is underway on the $60 million Skyhaven accommodation development at Cairns Airport and an $85 million upgrade of Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
The Morris Group is also progressing a $40 million redevelopment of Double Island.
Olsen said:
“The Hilton Palm Cove Cairns Resort & Spa is in the final stages before opening, and work is underway on the $60 million Skyhaven accommodation at Cairns Airport and the $85 million Skyrail Rainforest Cableway upgrade,” Mr Olsen said.
“The Morris Group’s $40 million redevelopment of Double Island is also among the surge in interest by developers who are sensitive with scale to the landscape which is ideal for the only place on earth where two natural World Heritage areas are side by side.
“Ecotourism is at the heart of the visitor economy in Tropical North Queensland and is continuing to grow with projects like these as well as substantial State Government investment in the $15.5 million expansion of the Smithfield Mountain Bike Park and the $59 million Wangetti Trail.”
Ecotourism investment supports regional strategy
The Smithfield Mountain Bike Park and Wangetti Trail investments add to a broader pipeline focused on nature-based and adventure tourism.
Phukettourism history
For Tropical North Queensland tourism, these projects support a strategy built around the region’s natural assets and its proximity to two World Heritage areas.
TTNQ has also approved the TNQ 2045 Destination Management Plan. The strategy sets a stretch target of $10 billion in visitor expenditure, compared with a forecast of $8.6 billion by 2045. The plan was developed following consultation with more than 230 stakeholders across 32 regional workshops.
It identifies priorities for individual sub-regions and outlines strategies covering ecotourism, events, connectivity, visitor experiences, branding and industry development.
TNQ targets $10 billion visitor economy by 2045
Olsen said:
“Our goal is to reach our stretch target of $10 billion by driving growth in visitor spend and length of stay to surpass our 2045 forecast of $8.6 billion,” Mr Olsen said.
“Developed in consultation with more than 230 stakeholders across 32 regional workshops, the plan identifies priorities for each sub-region and strategies for success across ecotourism, events, connectivity, experiences, brand, and industry.
“With a vision for Tropical North Queensland to be Australia’s No1 ecotourism region by 2045 and a world leader in adventure and regenerative tourism supporting thriving local communities, the plan is a managed approach to tourism growth.
“The key to Tropical North Queensland’s success as a tourism destination will be growing the type of tourism our communities seek which means attracting visitors who are conscious of their impact and leave as custodians of our region and its stories.
“Our communities want tourism that recognises our First Nations connection, plays an active role in sustainable and regenerative tourism practices, respects culture and communities with authentic connection, supports an inclusive and accessible industry with a skilled local workforce, and delivers truly remarkable visitor experiences.”
Phukettourism history
The combination of record international visitor spending, more than $295 million in current infrastructure investment and a long-term destination strategy gives Tropical North Queensland tourism a framework for expanding visitor value while managing future growth.