Arrivals Underscore Tourism Potential – TTF

Published on : Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Double digit growth in arrivals from Asian countries has pushed international tourism arrivals up 6.7 per cent in August, helped by increased aviation capacity, according to peak national industry body Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) analysis of the latest Overseas Arrivals and Departures figures.
The ABS has today released Overseas Arrivals and Departures (OADs) data for August, which shows four Asian countries – China, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia – providing almost two thirds of the monthly growth. Annually, international arrivals are up 5.6 per cent for the year ending August.
TTF Chief Executive Ken Morrison said the growth from Asia underscores tourism’s potential.
“Arrivals from China have for the first time topped 700,000 in a 12-month period, growing 18.3 per cent over the year,” Mr Morrison said.
“But other Asian countries are also making a significant contribution to our inbound tourism growth, with arrivals from Singapore up 11.8 per cent and Malaysia up 11.7 per cent for the year.
“While this growth is very encouraging, it also points to the phenomenal potential of the Asian Century for Australia and the ability of tourism to play a role in assuring Australia’s economic future.
“Tourism is an economic development strategy for Australia, a point we made in our recent report, Australian Tourism: Backing Our Strengths – A National Agenda for the Australian Government, which identifies the potential for tourism to make up for declines in other sectors.
“While the mining investment boom is subsiding, the people boom from Asia is just beginning and it’s vital to prioritise those industries that can deliver economic growth for Australia – like tourism.
“This is backed up by a Deloitte report released today, Positioning for prosperity? Catching the next wave, the latest in its Building the Lucky Country Series, which names tourism as one of five super-growth industry sectors that can help assure Australia’s economic future.
“Tourism already generates more than $100 billion in expenditure every year, directly employs more than 530,000 Australians across the country and is Australia’s largest services export.
“With the right support and policy frameworks in place to attract investment and grow the workforce, tourism will play an even bigger role in securing Australia’s economic future.