Victoria’s tourism industry is continuing to thrive, with strong investment in the state’s visitor economy and blockbuster major events generating a record high of $37.8 billion in tourism spending in 2023.
Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos announced the record results published by the National and International Visitor Survey, with expenditure $5.4 billion higher in the year ending December 2023 compared to 2019 levels in a boost for local jobs and businesses across the state.
Melbourne’s status as the city of choice for Victorians has been cemented – taking the crown as the nation’s top overnight interstate leisure destination on visitation, nights and spend. In 2023, 3.9 million visitors spent $5 billion in Melbourne, with a jam-packed calendar of major events drawing visitors from far and wide to the hearts of the city.
Last year’s line-up included musicals & Juliet, Moulin Rouge! The Musical and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child alongside blockbuster sporting events like the FIFA Women’s World Cup, NHL Global Series Melbourne, Australian Open, Bledisloe Cup, and Ed Sheeran at the MCG.
Victoria’s domestic tourism market continues to grow, with total domestic expenditure in Melbourne 27 per cent higher compared to the year ending 2019 and 39 per cent higher in regional Victoria.
More visitors are flocking to the state’s tourism regions, with total domestic expenditure increasing in Geelong and the Bellarine by 72 per cent compared to 2019 levels while Philip Island experienced an increase of 59 per cent and High Country boosted by a 52 per cent increase.
Victoria’s has captured the hearts of international visitors, with global travellers generating $6.4 billion in tourism expenditure last year.
This year’s major events calendar saw visitors from interstate and overseas flocking to Melbourne to enjoy the 2024 Australian Open, the Matildas Olympic Qualifier, the NGV Triennial, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Groundhog Day the Musical, Melbourne Fashion Festival and the Formula 1 ® Australian Grand Prix.
“This record tourism spend is proof that visitors come from across the globe to see our blockbuster events, experiences and destinations,” said Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos
