What’s happening?
Corporate travel to regional Queensland is rising, led by strong growth into Rockhampton.
New booking data shows business travel from Brisbane to Rockhampton increased 34 per cent year on year in the final quarter of 2025. The figures track corporate travel departing Brisbane Airport and reflect growing demand for regional routes.
The data was released by FCM Travel, the large-market corporate division of Flight Centre Travel Group.
Rockhampton recorded the strongest growth among regional Queensland destinations. Townsville followed with 17 per cent growth, while Brisbane to Mackay remained the busiest regional route by volume.
The increase aligns with the Queensland Government’s June 2025 launch of the Destination 2045 Strategy, which committed more than $1 billion over four years to aviation, regional events, and tourism infrastructure.
At its heart sits the $75 million Connecting Queensland Fund, designed to stimulate new and more frequent regional air services ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Games.
Why it matters
The data points to a clear shift in corporate travel behaviour.
Accommodation and food services entered FCM’s top five industries for corporate travel in Q4 2025. This signals that Queensland’s push to grow its events and tourism economy is translating into business activity.
Renos Rologas, ANZ General Manager at FCM Travel, said regional Queensland was being viewed differently by corporate Australia.
“Regional Queensland is an economic powerhouse, and the travel data proves corporate Australia is finally treating it like one,” he said.
“The diversity of what’s driving these trips has changed. The fact is, it’s not just project coordinators heading to the regions anymore, it’s executives, decision-makers, and investors.
“The State Government’s investment in air connectivity is hurrying that shift, but the fundamentals were always there: resources, infrastructure, events, and now the transport links to match.”
Local impact
Rockhampton’s growth reflects both long-term investment and a growing events focus.
The region is marking 150 years since its first gold discovery while managing a $12 billion resources project pipeline scheduled over the next four years.
At the same time, Rockhampton is building a year-round cultural events calendar. This includes Rockynats, Triple M Rocks The Western, and the Rockhampton River Festival.
Advance Rockhampton’s 2026 Business and Industry Events Calendar is also driving consistent corporate travel. The program spans small business, manufacturing, defence, agriculture, mining, and construction.
This mix of projects and events is supporting steady business movement into the city.
By the numbers
-
Rockhampton has a $12 billion resources project pipeline planned across the next four years.
-
The Destination 2045 Strategy committed more than $1 billion over four years to aviation, regional events, and tourism infrastructure.
- Corporate bookings from Brisbane to Rockhampton rose 34 per cent year on year in Q4 2025, the strongest growth among regional routes.
Zoom in
Rockhampton is benefiting from overlapping drivers of demand.
Major resources investment is occurring alongside a growing events calendar. This combination is bringing repeat corporate visitors into the region.
Advance Rockhampton’s structured events calendar is reinforcing that demand across multiple industries, not just single projects.
Zoom out
Brisbane Airport continues to anchor regional connectivity.
Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the airport plays a central role in Queensland’s economy.
“As Queensland’s premier transport hub, Brisbane Airport plays a critical role in connecting regional communities to enable tourism, mining, and essential healthcare, as well as bringing loved ones together,” he said.
“When Brisbane Airport is busy, Queensland is thriving. BNE is Australia’s most connected domestic airport, with connections to 62 destinations, half of them in Queensland.
“Brisbane Airport is also the hub of Queensland’s air freight network, which is essential for the time-critical delivery of goods to people and businesses across the state, including medical supplies, fresh produce and exports.
“Every flight through our airport helps bring people, investment, and opportunity to all corners of the state.”
What to look for next?
With Brisbane 2032 approaching, regional travel patterns are already shifting.
As air connectivity expands and regional events grow, Rockhampton is positioned to remain a key destination for corporate travel in Queensland.
