Tourism industry showing strong growth

Tourism contributed $41 billion to Australia's economy in 2011/12, an increase of 5.3%, according to the latest Tourism Satellite Account (TSA).

The recently released data released from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows the growth in tourism gross domestic product was primarily driven by solid growth in the domestic sector and supported by growth in the international sector.

Direct tourism gross domestic product increased by 5.3% from $39 billion to $41 billion in 2011/12. Tourism's share of total gross domestic product remained unchanged at 2.8% from 2010/11.

The key feature of today's release was the 8.3% increase in domestic visitor consumption, with domestic tourism alone, contributing to around 2.0% of the Australian economy.

A higher Australian dollar, and the continued weak global economic backdrop contributed to the slower growth in international visitor consumption (or tourism exports), which rose by 2.1% to $26 billion in 2011-12. Tourism imports rose 5.1% (to $32 billion), increasing tourism's trade deficit by $1.0 billion to $6.7 billion over the same period.

Minister assisting on Tourism, Senator Don Farrell said these results are proof that the Australian tourism industry continues to be an important contributor to the Australian economy, despite the uncertain global economic environment.

Minister Farrell explained "the amount contributed to the Australian economy in 2011/12 by a record six million international visitors solidifies the tourism industry as Australia's largest services export industry.

"This is a credit to Tourism Australia's 'There's nothing like Australia' campaign, and demonstrates the importance of the government's allocation of $48.5 million to the Asia Marketing Fund."

Direct tourism employment increased 0.3% (or by 1,600 jobs) to 531,900 jobs in 2011/12. Tourism's share of total employment fell slightly to 4.6%. There were around 294,900 full-time persons employed, while around 236,900 persons were employed on a part-time basis. In terms of tourism's gender balance, women accounted for 54% of total direct employment.

Minister Farrell added "higher spending from international visitors - especially from Asian markets - supports industry and governments working together to enhance quality, boost our export performance and ultimately to support more than half a million jobs that directly rely on tourism."

A summary of results for the Tourism Satellite Account is available at ww.ret.gov.au/tra

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