Internationally recognized establishments like Agnes, a top restaurant in Australia, and The Calile, which was named one of the 50 best hotels in the world, have been instrumental in boosting Brisbane’s reputation on the global stage. The city’s growth and brand are now gaining recognition as a result of these businesses, according to officials like Ryan Both, executive general manager of aviation at Brisbane Airport. The Calile Hotel, in particular, secured the 12th position in the World’s 50 Best Hotels 2023 list, making it the only Australian hotel to earn a spot. This success has contributed to the momentum that Brisbane is currently experiencing.
In addition to the efforts of establishments like Agnes and The Calile, the return of direct routes to Brisbane and increased aviation investments have also played a significant role in the city’s growth. The report’s findings show that the majority of international tourists visiting Brisbane last year came from New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The city also welcomed a record number of visitors from Canada, India, and Thailand. Ryan Both emphasized the importance of the New Zealand market for Queensland and expressed the airport’s goal to make travel to the region more cost-efficient and accessible, particularly for weekend getaways and short breaks. He mentioned that they expect to reach nearly 100% capacity for New Zealand flights by the end of the year.
With a solid foothold in North America and growing interest from East Asian markets like Japan, Brisbane Airport is now turning its focus to south-east Asia for further expansion. Both highlighted the importance of re-establishing flights to countries like Malaysia and Thailand, as well as increasing capacity to destinations such as India and Singapore. While progress has been made in recovering international routes post-pandemic, there is still work to be done in revitalizing markets that have been slower to bounce back. Both expressed optimism for the future of Brisbane Airport and its potential to attract more visitors from a diverse range of countries in the near future.
Overall, Brisbane’s growing reputation as a desirable destination for international travelers can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the success of acclaimed establishments like Agnes and The Calile, increased aviation investments, and the return of direct routes to the city. These developments have contributed to a surge in tourism from countries like New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as record numbers of visitors from Canada, India, and Thailand. Looking ahead, Brisbane Airport is focused on expanding its reach further into south-east Asia while continuing to strengthen existing routes and partnerships. The city’s current momentum is seen as a testament to its growing appeal on the global stage, with officials like Ryan Both expressing excitement for the future of Brisbane’s tourism industry.
