Aussies can’t wait to pack their bags
SYDNEY – More Australians than ever before are heading overseas for holidays, illustrating the need for the Australian tourism industry to step up its focus on attracting foreign tourists, a peak tourism industry body has said.
Australian Tourism Export Council managing director, Matthew Hingerty, was commenting on the release of Tourism Research Australia’s National Visitor Survey, which reported that Australians took 4.4 million international trips last year, 2.3% more than in 2005.
By comparison, just over five million international visitors came to Australia in 2006.
“The gap between the number of overseas travellers coming to Australia and the number of Australians heading overseas is continuing to close, which means our tourism industry is increasingly looking towards international markets as the area with the most growth potential for their businesses,” Hingerty said.
“The strong Australian dollar, booming economy, cheap international flights and a lack of interest by many young Australians in seeing their own country means more Aussies than ever before are reaching for their passports when they book a holiday.
“While it is difficult to address many of these cultural and economic factors amongst Australians, we can do more to target international visitors.”
Most recent international visitor figures (for March 2007) revealed a modest three percent increase in numbers.
Hingerty said both government and industry needed to focus on developing the product, experiences and service levels that overseas tourists were seeking.
“Australia is a unique destination and research shows that the attributes overseas tourists find most attractive about our country are our people, our natural attractions and our indigenous culture.
“We need to work at developing fresh products and experiences, particularly in regional Australia, that will meet these visitors’ needs.”
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025