Martin Ferguson
Minister for Resources and Energy
Minister for Tourism
Senator Nick Sherry
Minister for Small Business
Minister Assisting on Deregulation and Public Sector Superannuation
Minister Assisting on Tourism
New figures show the Australian tourism industry is emerging from the impact of natural disasters in good shape overall. Short-term visitor arrivals to Australia were up 7.5 per cent in April 2011 from April 2010.
April’s Overseas Arrivals and Departures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows arrivals from Asian markets are cushioning the impact on tourism from earthquakes and flooding – arrivals from Hong Kong increased 37 per cent, Singapore increased 17.0 per cent and Malaysia increased 16.6 per cent. Emerging markets China and India saw an increase in arrivals of 7.7 per cent and 8.7 per cent respectively.
One-off factors mask the underlying picture in this month’s figures. For example, arrivals to Australia which fell in April 2010 because of the Icelandic volcano have, unsurprisingly, rebounded in April 2011 – arrivals from the United Kingdom increased 36 per cent.
Meanwhile, the five-day Easter break enticed more Australians than usual to holiday overseas, especially in Indonesia and Fiji. Departures to these destinations were up 41 per cent and 25 per cent respectively in April 2011 and total departures up 29 per cent.
“While we should not read too much into this month’s figures, our industry remains buoyant,” said the Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP.
“Practical measures, such as the memorandum of understanding on strengthening tourism with the Chinese government, are helping us to make the most of emerging markets.”
Some of China’s most senior tourism officials will be in Queensland next week for high-level talks.
“The Australia-China Tourism Summit in Cairns is a great opportunity to showcase Australia to our most valuable tourism market,” said the Minister Assisting on Tourism, Senator Nick Sherry.
“Our industry is better-placed to attract more overseas visitors following the $12 million tourism industry support package for Queensland.”
April’s Overseas Arrivals and Departures is at: www.abs.gov.au