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December 13, 2011 – According to the latest International Visitor Survey, the number of visitors on Australian visas, nights spent, and expenditure are all up the year to September. This proves that Australia’s tourism industry is resilient amidst the international and local economic climate.

The International Visitor Survey details the quarterly results of 40,000 departing, short-term international visitors on Australian visa over the age of 15 years, to Australia base. This was seen in their responses to over 70 questions in the International Visitor Survey.

Tourism Research Australia a branch of the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism that provides statistics on Australia immigration, research, and analysis to support industry development, policy development, and marketing for the Australian tourism industry has found out during its latest International Visitor Survey that over the past year, there was a moderate growth of 1% in overseas visitors on visa for Australia though a decline of 2% was recorded in the most recent quarter.

The number of visitor nights spent with visa to Australia was up at 4%, totaling 192 million visitor nights spent in Australia. The total expenditure in Australia for the year end was up by 5%, totaling $18 billion.

The largest source of visitors with Australia visa during the period was New Zealand at 1,059,685, followed by the United Kingdom at 594,969, China with 490,427, and USA with 426,694. China led the visitor growth in Asia, where visitor numbers were up by 20 per cent for the year, followed by Indonesia at 12 per cent, and India up at nine per cent.

The number of international visitor on immigration to Australia has dropped by two per cent in the September quarter. Though, nights increase by 4% along with expenditure which is up by 3% on the back of strong business growth.

An increase of 18% was recorded in inbound nights visitors on Australia business visa for the quarter, while expenditure was up by 13%.

The year to September 2010-2011 has demonstrated a business growth, with international business travel now exceeding pre-GFC levels.

The year-ending September 2011, business numbers for visitors, nights and spend are the highest 12-month totals on record.

Currently, Australia’s largest source market in terms of economic value is China, worth $3.4 billion, followed by United Kingdom ($2.7 billion), New Zealand ($2 billion), and other countries ($1.8 billion).

According to Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, the figures reinforce that “the tourism sector is in transition with traditional markets making way for emerging ones.” Though there many challenges that are faced during the transition, there are also many opportunities that abound.

He further stated that the successful tourism businesses of the future will be those that can adapt to these trends, invest for growth, and take full advantage of all the help on offer to improve skills.

source:
investinaustralia.com