Domestic tourism July 2022
Our monthly snapshots make it easier to monitor changes in Australian tourism activity. You can view results each month or quarterly.
We usually compare data with the same period in the previous year. In this report, we make comparisons with 2019 figures (unless noted). This is to see changes from before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Overnight spend
$9.9 billion | Up 38% on July 2019
Overnight trips
9.4 million | Down 3% on July 2019
Nights spend on trip
37.0 million | Up 2% on July 2019
Key results
July 2022 showed improved domestic travel after a COVID-impacted 2020 and 2021. Overnight spend (up 38%) and nights away (up 2%) were up on pre-pandemic levels. However, overnight trips remained slightly down by 3%.
The increase in spend when compared to July 2019 saw:
- increased length of overnight trips (up %5 on average)
- increase travel for holiday purposes
- increased spending across all major expenditure items. The largest increases were on:
- accommodation
- food and drink
- petrol
- airfares.
Breakdown of results
In July 2022:
- there were 9.4 million overnight trips. This was down 3% on July 2019
- visitors spent 37 million nights away. This was up 2% on July 2019
- spend was up 38% ($2.7 billion) to $9.9 billion
- there were strong spend results in almost all states and territories. The highest increases in spend were in:
- Queensland – up 65% or $1.2 million
- New South Wales – up 40% or $801 million
- Northern Territory – up 64% or $169 million
- visitor numbers have almost returned to pre-pandemic levels (down only 3%). Travellers were spending more money on average and taking longer trips. The average spend per trip was up $313 (42%) to $1,049. This was in comparison to July 2019.
COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions heavily impacted August and September 2021. Early data shows domestic overnight trip rates were significantly up. This was for August and the first 3 weeks of September 2022. However, trip rates were slightly down on pre-pandemic levels.
During the first 3 weeks of September 2022, the trip rate for shows 28.2% of NVS respondents took one or more overnight trips. This was for the preceding 28 days (the reference period). However, the return date was in August for some of these trips.
The trip estimate of 9.4 million for the month of July refers to overnight trips returned from in that month.
Interstate and intrastate visitors and spend
Interstate travel
July 2022 saw strong results for interstate travel continue. Overnight trips were down slightly. Nights spent away and overnight spend were up on pre-pandemic levels. Results also significantly improved from July 2021, which was heavily impacted by lockdowns and border restrictions.
In July 2022, Australians:
- took 3.2 million interstate overnight trips. This was:
- up 271% on the 862 thousand trips recorded in a COVID impacted July 2021
- down 6% on the 3.4 million trips recorded in July 2019.
- spent $5.9 billion. This was up:
- 254% or $4.2 billion on July 2021
- 40% or $1.7 billion on July 2019.
The strongest growth in interstate spend compared to 2019 was in:
- Queensland – up 82% or $740 million
- Victoria – up 47% or $303 million
- New South Wales – up 30% or $261 million.
Intrastate travel
Intrastate trips were down slightly in July compared to pre-pandemic levels but improved against the previous year. Spend was up on the previous year and pre-pandemic levels.
In July 2022, Australians:
- took 6.2 million intrastate overnight trips. This was:
- up 53% on the 4.1 million in the COVID impacted July 2021
- down 2% on the 6.4 million in July 2019.
- spent $4.0 billion on intrastate overnight trips. It was up:
- 65% or $1.6 billion on July 2021
- 35% or $1.0 billion on July 2019.
Regional and capital city visitors and spend
Capital cities
Results for Australia’s capital cities continued to improve in July 2022. Compared to pre-pandemic levels, overnight trips were down but spend was up.
In July 2022, Australians:
- took 3.6 million overnight trips to capital cities
- spent $4.2 billion.
Compared to a COVID impacted July 2021, this was a:
- 160% increase in overnight trips
- 252% increase in spend.
Compared to a pre-COVID July 2019, this was a:
- 15% decrease in overnight trips
- 22% increase in spend.
Regional areas
Regional areas continued to perform well in July 2022. Overnight trips, nights spent away and spend were all up on pre-pandemic levels.
In July 2022, Australians:
- took 6.2 million overnight trips to regional areas
- spent $5.7 billion.
Compared to July 2021, this was a:
- 66% increase in overnight trips
- 96% increase in spend.
Compared to a pre-COVID July 2019, there was a:
- 2% increase in overnight trips
- 52% increase in spend.
Domestic day trips
Australians took 17.5 million day trips and spent $2.6 billion in July 2022.
Compared to a pre-COVID July 2019, this was a:
- 19% decrease in day trips
- 14% increase in spend.