Domestic tourism still in the doldrums
Peak national industry lobby group Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) has called for investment in new tourism products and experiences in Australia to help revitalise domestic tourism.
The June quarter National Visitor Survey shows overnight visitor numbers for the year ending June 2010 fell by 1.0 per cent, with visitor nights up 0.4 per cent and total spending up 1.9 per cent.
However, compared to the year ending June 2008, domestic overnight trips in Australia were down 8.1 per cent, with visitor nights down 7.6 per cent and spending 4.2 per cent lower.
TTF managing director Chris Brown said the figures show the need for a supply-side focus.
Marketing and promotion alone were not enough, he said. “We have to ensure we have the right mix of quality products and experiences on offer.
“This will not only help to attract visitors from overseas, but will also encourage more Australians to holiday at home.
“Government can play its part by increasing funding for tourism infrastructure and pulling the right regulatory levers to expedite tourism product development.”
Brown said the gap between the number of Australians travelling overseas and international visitors coming to Australia, “is getting so big that we estimate the tourism trade deficit could be as high as $9 billion this financial year”. â€
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
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025