Queensland is still a major draw for tourists despite dropping arrivals due to to the flooding.

The state was mentioned in eight of the country’s 20 major tourist destinations based on a survey conducted by online accommodation website, Wotif.com. During the previous year, Queensland was included in six of Australia's top 20 destinations.

The top 20 list was based on the accommodation bookings made through the web site last year that covered the states and its capital cities.

Gold Coast was the popular choice in the state taking third spot in the survey and overtaking Brisbane at fourth place. After the Gold Coast, the next preferred destination in Queensland was the Sunshine Coast, followed by Cairns and Townsville.

"Queensland has some of the world's best beaches and reef as well as a famously warm climate ... and is clearly a leader in the tourism sector in Australia," General Manager Wotif Brands Megan Magill said in a statement.

The number tourist attraction in the country still belongs to Sydney with Melbourne at second place and Adelaide at fifth spot after Gold Coast and Brisbane.

Tourism is one of Queensland's top industries earning an estimated $4 billion a year. The state is famed for its mix of sunny tropical areas and rain forests. Other well-known destinations include:the Daintree Rainforest, the Great Barrier Reef, Hervey Bay, Fraser Island and Magnetic Island.

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