The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP says Tourism Research Australia's International Visitors in Australia - December Quarter 2008, confirms that 2008 produced mixed results for Australia's multi-billion dollar tourism industry.
While there was a slight fall in the number of international visitors to Australia for the year, the report shows the economic contribution of international tourists rose eight per cent in 2008 to a record $25 billion.
There were fewer visitors to Australia from a number of key markets including the United Kingdom, Korea, China and Japan while markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, India and Germany posted increases. Overall the leisure sector was down but an increase in people visiting friends and relatives helped to offset some of the impact of the declines.
The report shows there were increases in the number of nights that international tourists spent in Australia during 2008, which was driven by the education and employment sectors.
Minister Ferguson said: "Today's results highlight the volatility of the global market last year and the challenging business environment for the tourism industry.
"Throughout the first nine months of 2008, Australia's international competitiveness was affected by a very strong Australian Dollar and high jet fuel costs, which particularly impacted Australia as a long-haul destination. In the December quarter, the onset of the Global Financial Crisis created new challenges for tourism."
"The Global Financial Crisis is causing fewer people to travel. This is a global phenomenon, affecting all countries and neither Australia, nor our tourism industry, is alone.
"These external factors will continue to impact on tourism to Australia throughout 2009 and the Australian Government, through Tourism Australia, will need to maximise all opportunities to ensure Australia maintains its share of the global travel market."
The International Visitors in Australia December 2008 Quarter report is available from Tourism Research Australia and can be downloaded at www.tra.australia.com or email tra@tourism.australia.com.