New data from Tourism Research Australia (TRA) shows that Australia’s domestic tourism industry grew by 12 per cent in 2019.
Highlighting the important role tourism could play in the economic recovery after COVID-19, data from TRA’s Visitor Survey and National Visitor Survey showed that for the year ending December 2019, Australians took 117.4 million trips overnight trips and spent $80.7 billion on overnight travel.
The data showed that international visitation rose two per cent to 8.7 million international visitors during 2019, with spending up three per cent to $45.4 billion.
Growth in visitors from India, Singapore and Japan was particularly strong, up 22 per cent, 14 per cent and 13 per cent respectively, the data showed.
Minister for Tourism, Senator Simon Birmingham said the data reinforced that tourism was a major economic driver and the lifeblood of many communities around Australia.
“These are unparalleled times for our tourism industry and we shouldn’t underestimate the significant challenges tourism businesses across Australia are facing,” Senator Birmingham said.
“Economic support, including cash payments of up to $100,000 and the JobKeeper payment will give thousands of tourism businesses a lifeline to help them get through the COVID-19 crisis.”
He said planning was ongoing to ensure the readiness of the industry for when domestic and ultimately international travel restrictions were eased.
“I want to assure Australia’s tourism industry that we will continue to work with them through this time to ensure that once this crisis is over, visitors will once again flow and our industry will rebound,” Senator Birmingham said.
The survey results can be accessed at the Tourism Research Australia website at this PS News link.
