Good times to roll for Australia tourism
Figures issued by the Tourism Forecasting Committee (TFC) indicate better times are around the corner for the Australian inbound tourism sector.
The TFC predicts a boost in the growth rate of international arrivals in 2010, from 4.3% to 5.5% (or by 95,000 arrivals) to reach 5.9 million.
Further strong growth is also forecast in the sector for the following two years (up 4.9% in 2011, and 4.6% in 2012), with compound growth for the decade to 2019 predicted to reach 4.0%.
Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) managing director Matt Hingerty said that the new TFC forecasts are welcome news for tourism operators who have been under extreme pressure recently from the high dollar, high fuel prices, plummeting overseas demand and labour shortages.
“The latest TFC forecasts send a message to Australian inbound tourism operators that the worst is hopefully behind us,” Hingerty said.
“The dollar has dropped somewhat in recent months, which makes Australia more competitive as a destination, while demand is now starting to pick up in our core markets of New Zealand, the United States and Western Europe.
“We’ve also seen air capacity into the country rise and fuel prices drop, while our airlines, especially Qantas, deserve plaudits for slashing airfares to maintain a viable industry.”
Ian Jarrett
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