International students can enjoy generous discounts to help them explore their new city thanks to a Brisbane Buddy card being launched this week.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the Brisbane Buddy card was created in a partnership between Study Brisbane and iVenture and would be offered to students at Orientation Week festivities.

"The Brisbane Buddy card is like a passport for international students to discover Brisbane," Cr Quirk said.

"Affordability is a well-known issue for students. The Brisbane Buddy card offers 12 months of discounts to a selection of local cafes, restaurants, retailers and other exciting Brisbane experiences. Students can access free entry or discounts of up to 40 per cent on premium local attractions like the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Australia Zoo, Brisbane River cruises, the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, day trips to the Gold Coast and a range of other tours."

Cr Quirk said the 75,000-plus international student enrolments in Brisbane generated $3.77 billion in course fees and other spending, making international education the city’s biggest export market.

"The Buddy card will encourage students to get to know our city and make the most of their time here," Cr Quirk said.

The Brisbane Buddy card will be available for sale at the Study Brisbane City Welcome Festival – a free international student festival – at South Bank’s Cultural Forecourt on 1 March.

Students can also buy the card from various outlets across the city or from the Study Brisbane website.

For more information about the Brisbane Buddy card and where to get one, visit www.buddy.studybrisbane.com.au or please contact:

Amanda Weaver, Brisbane Marketing.
Mobile: 0412 384 542 aweaver@brisbanemarketing.com.au

More information at: buddy.studybrisbane.com.au