So where the bloody hell are the Japanese?
Valentine’s Day may be around the corner but the Japanese have yet to resume their love affair with Australia.
Latest figures indicate that overall international visitors to Australia grew just 0.6 percent in 2006 to 5.5 million compared to the previous year.
The number of Japanese visitors fell five per cent, which tourism minister Fran Bailey attributed to the appreciation of the Australian dollar against the yen, coupled with a nine per cent drop in aviation seats out of Japan, “making the dream of an Australian holiday less of a reality for too many Japanese”.
The minister continues to heap praise on the controversial ‘So Where the Bloody Hell Are You?’ international marketing campaign. She said it had created strong interest, with a 92 per cent increase in hits to tourism websites.
Hits may be fine but right now it’s the misses that are hurting tourism to Australia.
Ian Jarrett
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