AUSTRALIAN TOURISM SETS NEW RECORDS

The figures are in and tourism is booming in Australia. The latest results show record growth that shows no sign of slowing down.

The figures are in and tourism is booming in Australia. The latest results show record growth that shows no sign of slowing down.

In the year to September 2018, a record 8.4 million international visitors arrived on our shores. That’s an increase of 44% in just five years. And it’s estimated that this number will continue to grow, reaching 10 million in the year ahead.

While New South Wales remained the most popular state, attracting more than half of all international visitors, Tasmania has seen the most dramatic growth with an increase of 15% in the past year.

China is the largest international market, with 1.3 million travellers in 2018, an increase of 5% from the previous year. They’re also the biggest spenders and an important sector of the local luxury market. Their total spend reached $11.5 billion, which accounts for 27% of the total spend from international visitors. On average, Chinese travellers spend three times as much as their counterparts from the USA.

India continued its strong growth, with a 20% increase in visitors, while Taiwan, Indonesia and Korea are also emerging as strong markets for travellers.

Domestic tourism is following the trend and more Australians are taking a local holiday than ever before. Total spend was up 10% to more than $70 billion.

James Baillie, founder of Baillie Lodges and one of the country’s leading experts on luxury, believes the top end of the industry is strong and will continue to grow. “Australia is now well-established as a luxury destination, and with its proven sustainability the sector becomes more attractive for investors,” he says. “The sector has proved itself to be robust to economic fluctuations and I think its future is bright!”

At the same time, he believes that development needs to be done in the right way. “Australia isn’t short of remarkable destinations, we just need quality designers and operators who understand the value of working with the local natural environment and the community, as these are some of a lodge’s best assets.”

PC: Tourism Australia