Australian tourism figures decline for 3rd consecutive year in 2003

New figures confirm tourism in Australia continued to recover in December 2003, however the number of overseas visitors to Australia fell by 2 per cent for the 2003 calendar year signalling a third consecutive year of decline in international tourist arrivals.

Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) Managing Director, Ken Boundy said the latest figures, released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today, show that tourist arrivals to Australia increased by 6 per cent for the month of December but fell by 2 per cent overall in 2003 to 4.7 million. 

Mr Boundy said the rebound in tourist arrivals for the December quarter, particularly from Australia's major tourism source markets, was good news for the industry and there were indications that tourist arrivals for January 2004 would also record positive growth.

"Despite a drop in arrivals for the year, the US market showed strong growth in December with arrivals jumping by four per cent compared to December 2002, indicating that campaigns are stimulating travel bookings to Australia," Mr Boundy said. 

"Today's announcement by Qantas of new non-stop services between Los Angeles and Brisbane will assist in further growth from this market.

"Arrivals from New Zealand reached record levels in 2003, with visitor numbers from this market totalling 839,100 for the year, exceeding the previous arrivals record of 817,000 visitors in 2000.

"The United Kingdom delivered the second highest number of visitors to Australia in 2003, to reach a record 673,000 visitors (up five per cent compared to 2002), highlighting the impact of Australia's hosting of the 2003 Rugby World Cup."

Mr Boundy said a number of Australia's emerging markets performed well in 2003.

"Australia saw strong growth in 2003 from France (up 4 per cent), Ireland (up 10 per cent), and Germany (up 2 per cent), indicating Australia's increasing popularity as a long haul tourist destination for travellers in these markets," he said.

"Visitor numbers from India jumped by 32 per cent in December, to record one per cent growth for 2003, as cricketing fans made their way to Australia to support their team. This suggests that the launch of cricketing legend Steve Waugh as Australia's Tourism Ambassador to India is already having some impact.

"Growth from China, which was severely impacted during the SARS crisis, continued in December with arrivals jumping by 21 per cent for the month compared to December 2002. However, this was not enough to make up the shortfall for the year with arrivals down by 7 per cent in 2003.

"Other markets such as Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan are steadily rebounding from downturns experienced earlier in 2003 and marketing programs planned for this year will help to stimulate positive growth.

"The ATC plans to announce an additional $12 million in overseas marketing campaigns in the coming weeks to ensure Australia continues to attract millions of international tourists in 2004."