Aussie arrivals to UK rebound after 2012 "blip"

By admin


Australian arrivals to the UK have rebounded from the 2012 slump with big-spending visitors forking out record amounts of money, latest figures from VisitBritain have shown.

Arrivals in 2013 climbed almost 8% to 1.07 million with expenditure rising 17% to GB£1.2 billion (A$2.16m), according to statistics released at the opening of Destination Britain trade show in Kuala Lumpur.

The recovery will come as a relief to tourism officials following the 9% arrivals decline in 2012, described at the time as a “blip” by VisitBritain chairman Christopher Rodrigues.

While the number is still shy of the record 1.09m who travelled to the UK from Australia in 2011, the sharp increase in spend and 12% rise in visitor nights will rejuvenate the industry.

Pent up demand following the Olympics, increased airline capacity into Britain and a strong exchange rate in 2013 were likely drivers for the growth.

Australia is the 10th largest market for the UK in terms of arrivals, generating 3% of all visitors, but is the fourth largest by expenditure, contributing 6% of all spend by international markets.

Britain has set targets to attract 1.2m Aussies by 2020 which, at current average spend figures, equates to an additional GB£100m (A$180m) per year injected into the British economy.

Overall, arrivals to Britain from Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA) climbed 7% to a record 4.3 million with visitors spending GB£6.3b (A$11.4b), up 22% on 2012, another record.

VisitBritain chief executive Sandia Dawe heralded the importance of the region.

“Visitors from the APMEA region spend the most per visit of all tourists to Britain,” she said last night. “Destination Britain offers a crucial opportunity to promote the country’s tourism product to these valuable markets and work closely with the APMEA travel trade to ensure we are front of mind as a destination choice.”

Latest News

  • Aviation

Scoot’s first E190-E2 flights take off between Krabi and Hat Yai

Scoot has begun operating its first Embraer E190-E2 aircraft with a launch event at Singapore Changi Airport with guests offered first look at the new aircraft. Guest of Honour Mr Chee Hong Tat, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Finance were in attendance as well as several aviation partners and media. The new E190-E2 […]

  • Hotels

Premium hotel operator ERDI launches it’s own academy in heart of Melbourne

ERDI, a private collection of premium hotels and hospitality businesses, has announced the launch of ERDI Academy, the next chapter of hospitality education and the legacy of founders Eva and Les Erdi. Starting in the mid-1980s, ERDI offers hospitality education with a commitment to community enrichment from its base at its Mercure Welcome Melbourne on […]

  • Destinations

Tropical North Queensland action-packed events calendar for adventure enthusiasts

Sporting enthusiasts and adventure seekers are gearing up for an action-packed year in Tropical North Queensland, with a lineup of sports events and adrenaline-pumping experiences set to take centre stage in 2024. Leading the charge is the highly-anticipated return of the Crankworx World Tour ‘Paradise Edition’ to Cairns from 22-26 May 2024. The mountain biking […]

  • Aviation
  • Sustainability

Singapore Airlines Group first to receive SAF from Neste as AU/NZ play catchup

Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group has signed an agreement with Neste to purchase 1,000 tonnes of neat Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel TM. The purchase makes SIA and Scoot the first carriers to receive Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) produced at Neste’s refinery in the country, at Singapore Changi Airport. The milestone will also mark the first […]

  • Aviation

Qantas Red Tail sale discounts more than 200,000 fares

Qantas has launched its latest International Red Tail sale, discounting more than 200,000 fares to Los Angeles, New York, Honolulu and other US destinations, plus Vancouver. The discounted seats are available to book either as a cash fare or as a reward seat using points. Thirty routes are on sale, including 10 for under $1,199 […]

  • Health & Wellness

Bannisters by the Sea unveils retreat style package for new mothers

Boutique hotel Bannisters by the Sea has revealed a brand-new package for new mothers – Bannisters Mummymoon – right in time for Mother’s Day. Designed to nurture and rejuvenate new mothers, this luxurious escape prioritises postpartum self-care and wellbeing in a serene coastal setting. Reconnecting and Recharging: The two-night Mummymoon allows mums to reconnect with […]

  • Destinations

APT offers destination incentives to enjoy the Best of Asia

APT Luxury Travel launches has launched its Asia Sale featuring 20 trips, with journeys through Vietnam and Cambodia as highlights, as well as opportunities to explore Japan, South Korea, India and Sri Lanka. It’s ‘Spiritual Cambodia and the Mekong’ land and river cruise tour for example takes guests on an all-inclusive 11-day journey through Vietnam […]

  • Travel Agents

Disney Days returns with Inside Out 2 showing in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland

Time is running out for agents to register their Expression of Interest to an exclusive screening of the much-anticipated Disney and Pixar film, Inside Out 2, hosted by Disney Destinations Australia/New Zealand team and partner United Airlines. Places are limited and applications must be in by 17 May. In addition to the screening of the […]

  • Cruise

Aranui Cruises slashes prices with No Single Supplement and Half Price offers

French Polynesian cargo cruise line Aranui Cruises is slashing thousands off its 2025 Austral and Marquesas Islands cruises with an autumn sale offering 50 per cent off the second guest in a twin share room and no single supplement for solo travellers. On sale until June 21, 2024, Aranui’s 12-day roundtrip voyage from Papeete to […]

  • Destinations

Raes on Wategos celebrates 30th birthday and guests get the presents

World famous luxury boutique hotel Raes on Wategos, in Byron Bay, has launched its 30th birthday celebrations with a Raes Indulgent Escape package. Available for all stays of two nights or more, from June to August, the curated package offers an invitation to indulge in a shared celebration of Raes 30th birthday, whilst revelling in […]