UK, US show strong arrivals growth

UK, US show strong arrivals growth
By admin


Australia’s traditional source markets have again showed solid growth as Tourism Australia welcomed another strong month of visitor arrivals.

International arrivals climbed 8% in March, partly attributed to the timing of Easter.

Asia led the way with arrivals from China growing 16% to 62,900 and Singapore up almost 23% to 32,000.

Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy heralded the result and highlighted the continuing resurgence of some traditional markets.

The UK climbed 5.5% to 71,300, the US saw 13.6% growth to 50,000 and New Zealand increased 3% to 99,100. Japan disappointed though, with arrivals tumbling 7.2% to 36,100.

"The March figures were strong, up 8%, and continue a solid start to the year, with international arrivals up more than 5% during the first three months of 2013,” McEvoy said.

“We’re seeing some big numbers out of Asia, but it’s also pleasing to see some of more traditional markets such as the US going well.

“The UK seems to have stabilized and, with the British and Irish Lions to come, followed by an Ashes series, it won’t be long until we see the UK in positive territory.”

In the 12 months ending March, arrivals from the UK were down 3.6% to 592,300.

The Travel and Tourism Transport (TTF) welcome the figures but urged the Government not to become complacent.

It called for the current level of tourism funding to be at least maintained at next week’s federal budget.

A failure to do so would leave the door open for competing destinations who have increased their investment in tourism, TTF acting chief executive Trent Zimmerman said.

He also urged the Government to resist the temptation to raise taxes.

“Any additional costs fly in the face of industry efforts to improve tourism product and the visitor experience and to lift our competiveness in a tough economic environment,” Zimmerman said.

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