Wedding tourism booming in Queensland

Wedding tourism is booming in Australia's north despite the strong dollar, with a 30 per cent rise in the number of non-Queenslanders getting married in the Sunshine State in the past five years.

Image: Idyllic location... Angsana Beach at Palm Cove. Picture: Queensland Tourism

From beach ceremonies on tropical islands to remote rainforest escapes, Births, Deaths and Marriage figures show there were 2640 weddings from domestic and international visitors last year.

Tourism operators say "wedding weeks'' - in which couples combine their wedding with a holiday shared with family and friends - was one of the biggest emerging trends.

Tourism Minister Jan Jarratt said the boom would have a positive impact on the economy.

"The average cost of a wedding is up to $50,000 and most couples bring an average of 50 guests with them who will turn up for the ceremony come rain, hail or global uncertainty, so it is an important market," she said.

"With destination weddings the spend is more too because couples and their wedding guests factor in a week or so worth of accommodation, transfers, food and tourist experiences.

"This way guests don't have to travel a long way just for a day out and they can have a fabulous Queensland holiday in some incredible locations as well as enjoy the wedding."

Queensland has the largest share of the international honeymoon market in Australia, with 48,000 international honeymooners, mostly from Japan and Korea, in the year to last September.

Ms Jarratt said many Asians viewed Queensland as a dream destination and there were lots of opportunities for local businesses to get a bigger slice of the honeymoon and wedding market.

Tourism Queensland is also partnering with a Taiwanese wedding business which is launching a wedding and honeymoon website in March with a campaign targeting Taiwanese couples with Gold Coast packages.

Tourism Australia is also planning a marketing campaign with a six-page brochure in a Korean wedding magazine featuring properties such as Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast, Hamilton Island, the Great Barrier Reef, theme parks and beach and water sports.

By Angela Saurine news.com.au

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