Auckland vs Brisbane

Brisbane leads Auckland by 6 points on the CIRA Index, 78 to 72. Auckland grades better on 6 measures, Brisbane on 12; the same 35 measures from public sources for both.

Scores by each organisation's criteria

• CIRA Index: Auckland 72, Brisbane 78
• OECD: Auckland 69, Brisbane 75
• UN Tourism: Auckland 71, Brisbane 83
• UNDRR: Auckland 62, Brisbane 74

Theme by theme

• Demand and seasonality: Auckland 54, Brisbane 75
• Economy and jobs: Auckland 75, Brisbane 94
• Climate and hazards: Auckland 70, Brisbane 50
• Water and environment: Auckland 69, Brisbane 88
• Community and housing: Auckland 94, Brisbane 69
• Access and continuity: Auckland 75, Brisbane 83

Where Auckland is stronger

• Nights in the three busiest months: 31 % of annual nights (region figure) (Tātaki Auckland Unlimited / Fresh Info Accommodation Data Programme (ADP), Auckland Destination Overview, 2023). Between 30 and 35: grade 3/4.
• Tropical nights: 5.4 nights a year with a minimum at or above 20°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). At or below 10: grade 4/4.
• Country disaster risk: 1.6 INFORM Risk index, 0–10 (country figure) (INFORM Risk (European Commission JRC), INFORM Risk Mid 2026, 2026). At or below 2: grade 4/4.
• Municipal waste per resident: 141 kg per resident per year (region figure) (Auckland Council, Waste Minimisation and Management Plan 2024, 2024). At or below 350: grade 4/4.
• Tourism intensity: 4.1 visitor nights per resident per year (region figure) (Auckland Council / Auckland Economic Monitor & Stats NZ, YE March 2025). At or below 5: grade 4/4.
• Rent growth: -1 % change in rents over the last 12 months (region figure) (Infometrics / MBIE Tenancy Bond Database, Regional Economic Profile, Year to March 2026). At or below 3: grade 4/4.

Where Brisbane is stronger

• Largest foreign market: 19.1 % of international arrivals or nights (Brisbane Economic Development Agency / Tourism Research Australia, Brisbane shines as Queensland's top visitor destination, YE March 2025). Between 15 and 20: grade 3/4.
• Recovery against 2019: 100 % of 2019 visitor nights reached in the latest full year (region figure) (Tourism and Events Queensland, Brisbane Regional Snapshot, year ending June 2024). Between 100 and 110: grade 3/4.
• Average length of stay: 5.7 nights per visitor (region figure) (Brisbane Economic Development Agency / Tourism Research Australia, 2024). At or above 3.5: grade 4/4.
• Hotel bed or room occupancy: 81 % average annual occupancy (CoStar / STR, Brisbane hotels posted record-high room rates in July, July 2025). At or above 75: grade 4/4.
• Jobs in tourism industries: 5.7 % of employment in accommodation and food services (country figure) (World Economic Forum, TTDI 2026 (data: Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Research by World Travel & Tourism Council; Travel & Tourism by World Travel & Tourism Council), 2026). At or below 8: grade 4/4.
• Unemployment rate: 4 % of the labour force (Jobs and Skills Australia / Australian Bureau of Statistics via economy.id, March 2026). At or below 5: grade 4/4.
• Income per head: 71,934 GDP per capita, USD PPP (country figure) (World Bank WDI, 2025). At or above 60,000: grade 4/4.
• Wastewater safely treated: 100 % of domestic wastewater safely treated (Inside Water / Urban Utilities, 2023–2024). At or above 95: grade 4/4.
• Green space: 44 % of the urban area that is green or tree-covered (Greens Councillor for Paddington Ward / Brisbane City Council data citation, 2024). At or above 40: grade 4/4.
• Short-let density: 0.5 short-term rental listings per 100 dwellings (metro figure) (AirROI and Australian Bureau of Statistics (2021 Census), August 2025 – July 2026). At or below 0.5: grade 4/4.
• Early warning and emergency plan: An updated, tested plan that names visitors and tourism operators, with warnings in several languages (Brisbane City Council, Local Disaster Management Plan & Brisbane Severe Weather Alert Service, 2024). Grade 4/4.
• Tourism crisis and recovery plan: A plan with named owners, operators and recovery funding (Queensland Government Department of Tourism and Sport & Tourism and Events Queensland, 2024). Grade 3/4.

Country context (World Economic Forum)

• New Zealand: #25 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
• Australia: #4 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026

Auckland in full · Brisbane in full

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