Chinese Visitor Numbers Continue to Climb

Tourism Research Australia's latest International Visitors Survey found 530,293 Chinese visitors travelled to Australia in the year ending March 2012, up 15% on the previous year.
The survey confirmed China as Australia's major tourism growth market Chinese visitors spent about $2.8 billion, 6% more than in the year ending March 2011.
Visitors from China stayed a combined 25.7 million nights and contributed to a one% rise in Australia's overall visitor numbers.
A total of 5,439,567 international tourists visited Australia during the year ending March 2012, spending $18.2 billion or four% more than in the previous year.
Federal Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson said the results were positive stating "a slight increase in overall visitor numbers is a solid result given the economic uncertainty in much of the world and the effects of the strong Australian dollar.
"The survey confirms findings from previous International Visitor Surveys that growth in Asia is offsetting a decline in visitor numbers from Europe and North America.
"Tourism Australia's $61 million Asia Marketing Fund will help to further increase Asian demand for Australian tourism during the next few years.
"Coupled with the inevitable long-term economic rebound in other markets, the growth on Australia's doorstep will create a brighter future for our tourism industry."
The survey also revealed strong visitor growth from Taiwan and Indonesia for the year ending March 2012, with arrivals up nine and 13% respectively.
The International Visitors Survey can be accessed from the Resources, Energy and Tourism website.

http://www.ret.gov.au/tourism/research/tra/Pages/default.aspx