Domestic tourism June 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
$7.5 billion | Up 22% on June 2019
Overnight trips
8.4 million | Down 14% on June 2019
Nights spend on trip
29.0 million | Down 8% on June 2019
Key results
June 2022 showed improved domestic travel after a COVID-impacted 2020 and 2021. Overnight spend was up 22% on pre-pandemic levels. However, overnight trips were down 14% and nights spent away were down 8%.
The increase in spend when compared to June 2019 saw:
- strong spend results in all states and territories
- increase in length of overnight trips (up 8% on average)
- increased spending on:
- accommodation
- food and drink
- shopping
- petrol.
Breakdown of results
In June 2022:
- there were 8.4 million overnight trips. This was down 14% on June 2019
- spend was up 22% ($1.4 billion) to $7.5 billion
- visitors spent 29.0 million nights away. This was down 8% on June 2019
- there were strong spend results in all state and territories. The highest increases in spend were in:
- Queensland (Qld) – up 59% or $808 million
- Tasmania (Tas) – up 54% or $100 million
- Australian Capital Territory (ACT) – up 22% or $38 million
- visitor numbers had not returned to pre-pandemic levels. However, visitors were spending more money on average. The average spend per trip was up $263 or 42% to $888 when compared to June 2019.
July and August 2021 were heavily affected by COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions. In comparison, early data shows domestic overnight trip rates for July 2022 and the first 3 weeks of August were significantly up. However, the trip rates were down on pre-pandemic levels.
The trip rate for August 2022 tells us 27.99% of NVS respondents interviewed in weeks 1, 2 and 3 reported taking one or more overnight trips in the preceding 28 days (the reference period). The return date will have been in July for some of these trips.
The trip estimate of 8.4 million for the month of June refers to overnight trips returned from in that month.
Interstate and intrastate visitors and spend
Interstate travel
June 2022 saw strong results for interstate travel continue. While overnight trips were down, overnight spend was up on pre-pandemic levels. In June 2022, Australians:
- took 2.8 million interstate overnight trips. This was:
- up 78% on the 1.5 million trips recorded in a COVID-impacted June 2021
- down 11% on the 3.1 million trips recorded in June 2019.
- spent $4.1 billion. This was up:
- 72% or $1.7 billion on June 2021
- 27% or $880 million on June 2019.
The strongest growth in interstate spend compared to 2019 was in:
- Tas – up 58% or $74 million
- Qld – up 54% or $341 million
- South Australia (SA) – up 51% or $83 million.
Interstate spend contributed a 55% share to total spend. This was up 2% from the 53% share of total spend pre-pandemic.
Intrastate travel
Intrastate trips were down in June compared to pre-pandemic levels but improved against the previous year. Spend was up compared to both the previous year and pre-pandemic levels.
In June 2022, Australians:
- took 5.7 million intrastate overnight trips. This was:
- up 20% on the 4.7 million in June 2021
- down 16% on the 6.7 million in June 2019.
- spent $3.4 billion on intrastate overnight trips. It was up:
- 27% or $723 million on June 2021
- 16% or $473 million on June 2019.
Regional and capital city visitors and spend
Capital cities
Results for Australia’s capital cities continued to improve in June 2022. Compared to pre-pandemic levels, overnight trips were down but spend was up.
In June 2022, Australians:
- took 3.5 million overnight trips to capital cities
- spent $3.7 billion.
Compared to a COVID-impacted June 2021, this was a:
- 55% increase in overnight trips
- 77% increase in spend.
Compared to a pre-COVID June 2019, this was a:
- 16% fall in overnight trips
- 20% increase in spend.
Regional areas
Regional areas continued to perform well in June 2022. Compared to pre-pandemic levels, overnight trips were down but spend was up.
In June 2022, Australians:
- took 5.3 million overnight trips to regional areas
- spent $3.8 billion.
Compared to June 2021, this was a:
- 23% increase in overnight trips
- 29% increase in spend.
Compared to a pre-COVID June 2019, there was a:
- 12% increase in overnight trips
- 24% increase in spend.
Domestic day trips
Australians took 15.9 million day trips and spent $2.3 billion in June 2022.
Compared to a pre-COVID June 2019, this was a:
- 20% fall in day trips
- 16% increase in spend.