PASSENGER numbers at Gold Coast Airport have continued their rapid rise with a 15% increase in the 12 months to October.

The increase, revealed today by Queendland Airports Limited, represents an additional 71,301 passenger movements through the airport at Coolangatta.

Domestic passenger numbers increase by 14.7% to 456,736 while international passengers rose 19% to 77,801.

Queensland Airports managing director Dennis Chant said the increases were possible because of increased airline capacity and improved destination marketing.

"For Gold Coast the continued strong international growth is good news for the tourism industry," Mr Chant said.

"It also reflects well on focussed co-operative marketing initiatives over the last six months."

Queensland Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and Commonwealth Games Minister Jann Stuckey said the figures reflected the Newman Government's commitment to tourism.

"Significant increases in passenger numbers throughout Queensland are very positive signs that tourism is bouncing back," Ms Stuckey said.

"Tourism is one of the largest contributors to the Queensland economy and aviation access is vital in helping us reach our goal to double annual overnight visitor expenditure to $30 billion by 2020."