INTERNATIONAL VISITORS IN LINE WITH FORECASTS- NEW FIGURES

New figures released yesterday indicate growth in line with forecasts for international tourists to Australia with a four per cent increase in visitor arrivals during July 2001, Australian Tourist Commission Managing Director, Ken Boundy said.

Speaking following the release of the Australian Bureau of Statistics Overseas Arrival and Departure (OAD) preliminary July 2001 figures, Mr Boundy said a 4.2 per cent growth was in line with industry expectations.

“The figures indicate around 447,000 international visitors to Australia in July 2001, up 4.2 per cent compared to July 2000,” Mr Boundy said. “The growth in international visitors in July this year generated an additional $60 million in export earnings for Australia.

“All key tourism markets are showing steady growth including double digit growth from Europe and Asia and solid growth from Japan and the Americas. The only exception is New Zealand, with visitor arrivals declining by 17 per cent due to the Bledisloe Rugby Cup being held in Sydney in July last year.

“July 2000 was the largest month on record for visitor arrivals from New Zealand as a result of the Rugby match combined with the Fiji coup, making Australia a more desirable destination. We expect the number of Kiwi visitors to Australia to spike during September with a Bledisloe match to be held in Sydney during this month.

“The figures indicate that visitor arrivals increased by 4.9 per cent for the seven months to July 2001 which is in line with forecasts released last week following a downward revision due to changes in global economic conditions.”

Mr Boundy said Australia continues to be a popular destination for European travellers with 99,200 visitors in July up 13.8 per cent compared to July last year.

“The UK led the charge, with a 15.9 per cent increase in visitor arrivals in July 2001 compared to the July last year along with Germany (up 31.3 per cent), Sweden ( up 16.5 per cent) and Switzerland (up 11.6 per cent).

“Asia continues as Australia’s largest tourism region with 120,800 during July up 10.2 per cent compared to the July last year. Strong performers in July 2001 include China (up 48.4 per cent), Singapore (up 19.2 per cent) and Korea (up 11.3 per cent) compared to July 2000.

“The figures indicated a two per cent increase in Japanese visitors to Australia. This is a solid result, given that July is traditionally a soft month for Japanese travel to Australia. The ATC implemented a number of campaigns in Japan to build growth during this low season.

“Visitor arrivals from the Americas were up by 7.4 per cent in July 2001 compared to the same month last year including the United States (up 6.8 per cent) and Latin America (up 20.8 per cent).