The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, has welcomed a new report from the Tourism Forecasting Committee predicting the economic contribution of inbound tourism rising 3.3% and arrivals increasing 4.3% in 2010 off the back of stronger global economic growth.
Minister Ferguson said: "Like all sectors of our economy, Australian tourism was affected by the global recession throughout 2009, so I am very pleased to see these positive forecasts for 2010.
"I would like to congratulate Australian tourism operators for responding so strongly to the economic challenges of 2009 and for setting this important industry up for a strong 2010.
"This report shows that a continued commitment to international marketing by both Tourism Australia and the private sector has cushioned the impact of the global recession and delivered a relatively strong result during this very difficult period."
Australia was one of the better performing international tourism destinations throughout 2009, with the number of short-term international visitor arrivals to Australia from January to October falling by less than 1% while global international travel over this period fell 7%. Despite the fall in arrivals, the value of inbound tourism actually rose 1.8% in 2009 to $25.5 billion because visitors stayed longer and spent more.
The Tourism Forecasting Committee expects stronger economic growth to support the Australian tourism industry in 2010 with international and domestic aviation capacity expected to increase strongly. Importantly, the economic contribution of domestic tourism is forecast to next year rise 2.9% as a stronger Australian economy supports job security and higher discretionary spending.
Minister Ferguson said: "This is very welcome news given that domestic tourism has contracted throughout the past decade at an average rate of 1.2%.
"The Australian Government will continue to support Tourism Australia's No Leave, No Life program - launched in March - to encourage Australians to use their 123 million days of accrued leave entitlements and to holiday in Australia.
"Accrued leave in Australia is worth $33 billion in wages and if even a small proportion of this is converted into domestic holidays, then the economic benefit to the Australian tourism sector in 2010 will be very significant."
More than 725 businesses with potential reach of more than 800,000 employees have so far registered with this program.