High-growth industry
Australia’s $138B Visitor Economy is vital to the nation’s wellbeing and the lifeblood of many regions. This sector supports 686,000 jobs around the country, and for every dollar earned, generates 82 cents in other parts of the economy.
Moreton Bay contributes to this Visitor Economy through undeniable tourism assets which attract 4.85M visitors to the region every year, a 25.5% increase since 2017. Domestic and international visitors are diversified across leisure, business and education.
The region is experiencing a golden era in tourism, with a visitor economy worth over $1 billion. These figures reveal the high-growth state of Moreton Bay’s tourism industry:
- Visitor expenditure: $1.137 billion (increased from $670 million in 2015)
- Average length of stay for visitors: 4.5 nights (increased from 1 night in 2015)
- Average length of stay for international visitors: 18.6 nights (longer than the state’s average of 11.7 nights)
- Tourism businesses: 3,259 (tripled since 2015)
- Direct and indirect tourism jobs: 13,300
Event infrastructure investment
The region’s recent growth is undeniable, and no doubt, fuelled by Moreton Bay Regional Council’s ongoing investment in infrastructure and tourism. With no signs of slowing, the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games and a potential national rugby league team has fast-tracked major development opportunities.
In the last eight years, Council has invested $150 million on sports infrastructure. A further $57 million will be spent across three projects for upgrades to existing facilities and new purpose-built venues, including a new rugby league complex and women’s football facility to host Brisbane Roar home games and the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Queensland’s most successful rugby league club unveiled as 17th national team
Local Redcliffe Dolphins Rugby League team have a 74-year history and are already Queensland’s most successful club.
With 5,500 registered players, 17 junior clubs and 40,000 members, the Dolphins’ have an annual turnover of more than $30 million.
The organisation’s assets are valued at an impressive $100 million, and the club is worth more than the Australian Football League’s Adelaide Crows, North Melbourne Kangaroos, Melbourne Demons and Gold Coast Suns combined.
Diverse event calendar
Natural landscapes and metropolitan infrastructure create a stunning stage for a diverse collection of events that draw visitors and increase expenditure. Moreton Bay boasts events such as the Woodford Folk Festival, Moreton Bay Food + Wine Festival, Abbey Medieval Festival and Redcliffe Kitefest, which together attract more than 200,000 visitors to the region every year.
Check out the region’s major events calendar or visit Moreton Bay’s website to find out what’s on.
More accommodation opportunities
Accommodation investors and operators have a unique opportunity to take advantage of this untapped tourism, sport and major events destination.
With an increase of 29% in day visitors, 11% in domestic overnight visitors and 28% in international visitors since 2017, the region’s limited supply of visitor accommodation allows early entry hotel investors to establish their presence in an uncrowded marketplace.
While small-scale accommodation operators service the leisure market, the region’s growing business and sports group visitor segment has increased the demand for full-service hotels.
Find out more about investing in Moreton Bay by downloading our Hotel investment guide(PDF, 915KB).
For a detailed analysis on our hotel demand and opportunities download our Short term accommodation study(PDF, 3MB).
Brighter businesses
Tourism, sport and major event businesses that choose to call Moreton Bay home.
Sandstone Point Case Study