<h1>Tourism growth drives Victoria's visitor surge and sporting-event prominence, boosting international engagement and hospitality demand.</h1> Victoria's 2024 tourism surge was led by major international sporting and cultural events that boosted arrivals, spending and hospitality performance. Melbourne recorded nearly 250,000 airport arrivals over the holiday period and peak hotel occupancy of 88 per cent; international tourism expenditure rose markedly, with Indian visitors a key source market. High-attendance events-the Pro Kabaddi League Melbourne debut and the record-setting Boxing Day Test-delivered exceptional broadcast reach and reinforced Melbourne's capability to host large-scale international events, generating significant promotional value and economic benefits for the visitor economy.