Cairns breaks international visitor record as Great Barrier Reef tourism rebounds

Cairns has set a new international visitor record, welcoming 512,000 overseas travellers in the past financial year as Great Barrier Reef tourism rebounded strongly from the pandemic lows and the Japanese, South Korean, and Chinese markets returned to near pre-pandemic volumes.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen said the figures surpassed even the optimistic scenarios modelled at the start of the year, driven by a combination of new direct flight routes from Japan and South Korea and a global resurgence of interest in reef experiences following extensive international media coverage of coral restoration programs.

Reef tourism operators reported average vessel utilisation of 87 per cent over the peak December-May period, with some premium operators recording their highest revenue years on record. The Cairns Convention Centre also posted a record for conference delegates, hosting 47 major events that drew participants from 62 countries.

Cairns Regional Council mayor Terry James said the international visitor recovery was generating significant employment and business revenue for the city, with the accommodation sector reporting occupancy rates consistently above 85 per cent and hotel room rates up approximately 18 per cent on the previous year.

The growth presents management challenges for the reef itself, however, with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority noting that several popular dive and snorkel sites were experiencing above-modelled visitation. New zoning provisions are under development to manage high-demand sites more sustainably.

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