China and India triple trips to Australia

China and India triple trips to Australia
By admin


Chinese and Indian visitors to Australia have tripled over the past decade, according to record-breaking figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released today.

China rose from 190,000 visits in 2002 to 630,000 in 2012, while India increased from 45,000 to 160,000 in the same period.

"This year China leapfrogged the UK as our second largest source market of international visitors," Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy said.

One in ten tourists to Australia are now Chinese. Despite this, McEvoy reminded the industry that it’s not all about China.

“What's remarkable about the 2012 arrivals figures is the fact that the majority of our top ten inbound international markets now originate from with the Asian Pacific Rim,” he said.

Asian countries now hold seven of the top ten short term source markets to Australia.

“We mustn't underestimate the importance of these other Asian markets, like India, Malaysia, Singapore and, in time, Vietnam,” McEvoy said.

The figures also showed signs of recovery among traditional western markets, with US arrivals up 4% in 2012.

ATEC managing director Felicia Mariani advised tourism operators to retain a connection with traditional markets while they build capacity in the new markets.

McEvoy is hopeful that 2013 will bring an increase in European arrivals. “We have two great kickers this year, with the British and Irish Lions tour starting in June and an Ashes tour on the horizon,” he said.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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