The six years that changed the way Australians travel
Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) executive director Brett Gale has called for a renewed focus in Australia on the supply side of the tourism equation.
Speaking at the Tourism Futures conference in Brisbane, he said a key issue is having the right mix of tourism product.
“We need to better cater for the emerging markets like China and India, whose tourists have different needs from Australia’s traditional inbound tourists.
“They are less interested in lying on a beach and far more interested in shopping, sightseeing and cultural experiences.â€
Gale added, “While vital for attracting visitation from overseas, addressing supply side issues also has the benefit of giving Australians more to choose from.
“Enticing more people to travel domestically instead of taking their travel dollars elsewhere will help to address the balance trade deficit too.â€
Gale said in 2004, 1.3 million more people came to Australia than Australians travelled overseas.
“For the first four months of 2010, arrivals are up 3.5 per cent – a solid gain – but departures are up 17.6 per cent, which means a staggering 300,000 more Australians travelling overseas than the same period a year earlier.
“In 2010, the number of international trips taken by Australians is expected to outstrip the number of international arrivals by around 1.2 million – a virtual reversal in just six years.
“This is having a dramatic impact on Australia’s tourism balance of trade – the difference in spending by international visitors to Australia compared to the amount Australians spend overseas.
“In 2001-2, there was a surplus of $3.6 billion, meaning Australia was a net exporter of tourism,” Gale said.
“In 2007-8 and 2008-9, we recorded a deficit of $3.9 billion and we are now a net importer of tourism.
“For 2009-10 and 2010-11, those amounts will jump to $7.3 billion and $9 billion respectively.â€
Gale said issues that needed to be addressed included regulation, taxation, destination planning and prioritisation, marketing and promotion, and government funding.
Ian Jarrett
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