AusLeisure

The latest National Visitor Survey shows more Australians are exploring their homeland - with an increase in the number of domestic tourists visiting every state and territory in Australia.

In addition, the Australian Bureau of Statistics Tourism Satellite Account that shows the growth of the tourism sector is outstripping the broader economy by three times.

In the 12 months to September the National Visitor Survey have recorded 89.4 million overnight trips and Australian domestic tourists spending  $59.8 billion seeing their own country – a rise of $2.9 billion in the past year.

Australians took 66.6 million trips in the last year for a holiday or to visit friends and relatives, which is more than three trips per year per person. Australians are also taking longer trips away, with the average trip growing 5% over the last three years to 3.7 nights.

Welcoming the figures, Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steve Ciobo stated “this record spending by local tourists is an early Christmas present for Australian tourism businesses and the hundreds of thousands of Australians they employ directly.

“Australians who holiday at home put money straight into the back pockets of local tourism workers.”

Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) Chief Executive Margy Osmond was also enthusiastic about the figures, commenting “what better early Christmas present for the tourism sector than another round of strong figures showing that the industry continues to be the apple of the economy’s eye?

“The latest National Visitor Survey shows that the nation’s visitor economy goes from strength to strength with more Australians choosing to explore the beauty and attractions of their island continent like never before.

“Considering that regional and rural Australia are big drawcards for domestic visitation, that is a real boost to regional economies right across the country, supporting thousands of jobs and economic activity.

“This result is a testament to the great work being done by our industry and the state-based tourism bodies with their campaigns to encourage more Australians to holiday at home.

“On top of that we have seen the latest Tourism Satellite Account figures that show the tourism sector has grown a rate of 7.4% in 2015-16 – that is more than three times the growth of the total Australian economy (2.3%).

“The visitor economy continues to be the shining beacon for the Australian economy and we simply cannot afford to stop investing in improving the visitor experience and marketing Australia as a destination of choice for both our people and millions of international visitors.

“I trust that after the Federal Government has increased taxes and charges on the tourism industry this year through the backpacker tax and the $60 holiday tax – the Passenger Movement Charge on travellers that they will back the industry in 2017 with a positive growth agenda.”

Images: The Sunshine Coast's Glass House Mountains (top) and Margy Osmond (below).

8th December 2016 - AUSTRALIA’S TOURISM EXPORT GROWTH CONTINUES AS MARKETS SHIFT

2nd December 2016 - FEDERAL PARLIAMENT FINALLY AGREES 15% BACKPACKER TAX

21st November 2016 - TOURISM BUSINESSES MUST OFFER CONSUMER CHOICES AND EXPERIENCES

15th September 2016 - TOURISM FIGURES RACE AHEAD OF TARGETS 

19th July 2016 - STEVE CIOBO NAMED TOURISM MINISTER IN NEW AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL CABINET

18th July 2016 - MORE AUSTRALIANS CHOOSING DOMESTIC HOLIDAYS 

12th December 2014 - ANGER OVER AUSTRALIA’S WITHDRAWL FROM UNWTO

29th July 2010 - COALITION PLEDGES TO BACK BUSINESS EVENTS TOURISM 

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