Published on : Thursday, May 8, 2014
International visitor arrivals figures for March show the need for continuing strong support for tourism in next week’s budget to help the visitor economy continue to grow, according to peak national industry body Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF).
The ABS’s Overseas Arrivals and Departures data show international arrivals up 2.6 per cent for March, even though March 2013 arrivals were boosted by Easter. Outbound travel fell 6.8 per cent for the month, with Australians deferring travel to take advantage of the Easter-Anzac Day period in April. Both arrivals and departures are up 6.3 per cent for the year ending March.
TTF Executive Director Adele Labine-Romain said the arrivals figure is a great result.
“Monthly arrivals growth of 2.6 per cent for March demonstrates a healthy momentum around international travel to Australia which makes it essential that next week’s federal budget includes strong ongoing support for tourism marketing and infrastructure investment,” Ms Labine-Romain said.
“Easter is a driver of travel, so it’s terrific to have 2.6 per cent growth in March 2014 considering March 2013 – which included Easter – was up 8.4 per cent on the previous year.
“With the timing of Easter and Anzac Day this year, we expect strong growth in both arrivals and departures in April.
“International visitors spent $28.9 billion in Australia last year and increasing arrivals will see rising export earnings and continuing growth in the visitor economy.
“Ensuring Tourism Australia has the funding to continue its marketing and promotional efforts internationally is critical to ensuring it can attract more visitors from around the world.
“It’s also essential that Tourism Australia remains in independent agency run by experts so it retains its creativity, strategic focus and ability to respond to changing market conditions.
“The Abbott government must use next week’s federal budget to demonstrate its support for tourism as an economic strategy for Australia.
“Tourism has been identified as one of five super-growth sectors that can contribute an additional $250 billion to the national economy over the next 20 years, especially with heavy manufacturing declining and the mining investment boom waning.
“Australia’s $110 billion tourism industry already directly employs more than 543,000 people in 283,000 businesses nationwide and with the right policy frameworks in place, that contribution can be even greater.”
Source:- TTF
Tags: TTF News
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