Australia’s tourism industry demonstrated strong growth in 2019, according to the latest International Visitor Survey and National Visitor Survey data, highlighting the important role tourism will play in the economic recovery when the COVID-19 crisis passes.
Today’s release from Tourism Research Australia for the year ending December 2019 shows that Australians took 117.4 million overnight trips and spent $80.7 billion on overnight travel, up 12 per cent year on year.
International visitation also rose 2 per cent to 8.7 million international visitors during 2019, with spending up 3 per cent to $45.4 billion. Growth in visitors from India, Singapore and Japan was particularly strong, up 22 per cent, 14 per cent and 13 per cent respectively.
Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said this latest data reinforced that tourism was a major economic driver and the lifeblood of so many communities around Australia.
“These are unparalleled times for our tourism industry and we shouldn’t underestimate the significant challenges tourism businesses across Australia are facing,” Minister Birmingham said.
“That is why our Government has taken significant steps to support businesses and jobs across the tourism sector to help them get through these incredibly tough times.
“Our Government’s economic support, including cash payments of up to $100,000 and the JobKeeper payment will give thousands of tourism businesses a lifeline to help them get through the COVID-19 crisis.
“We are also continuing with the necessary planning to ensure that when domestic and ultimately international travel restrictions are eased, our tourism industry can recover as quickly as possible and continue to be a major contributor to our economy and employer of Australians.
“I want to assure Australia’s tourism industry that we will continue to work with them through this time to ensure that once this crisis is over, visitors will once again flow and our industry will rebound.”
The latest International Visitor Survey results and National Visitor Survey results are available on the Tourism Research Australia website