Figures released by Tourism Research Australia revealed that Australia’s tourism market had a healthy growth period, with record spending, which coincided with the visit by the royal couple, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their baby son George.
For the 12 months ending 30 June this year, Australia’s tourism has seen a healthy rise in tourism figures of 8%. This means that 6.1 million international visitors passed through Australia’s customs gates and for the first time ever, they went on to spend more than AUD$30 billion.
Tourism Research Australia’s survey also suggests that the Brits were the biggest cash splashers, spending 19% more on their Australian visit than they had done in previous years. The rise has been contributed mainly to Tourism Australia’s innovative marketing campaign in the UK and the visit by the Royals positively impacting on these figures too.
The research said that passenger volumes between the UK and Australia increased by almost 50%.
While John O’Sullivan, managing director of Tourism Australia, said it is impossible to measure the dollar value of the royal visit it certainly significantly contributed to the country’s tourism.
“Some of our country’s most famous tourism attractions provided perfect backdrops for images beamed around the world — the Three Sisters in the Blue Mountains, Sydney Harbour and the Opera House, Taronga Zoo, the nippers’ demo on Manly beach and of course the spectacular footage at one of our country’s greatest icons, Uluru,” said Mr O’Sullivan.
He added, “These images are tourism gold — the kind of international exposure that is difficult to put a price on and which are already inspiring many onlookers around the world to follow in their footsteps by booking a holiday of their own Down Under.”
Australia was also very popular with Chinese tourists. The research showed that tourists from China spent at least AUD$5.3 billion for 2013-14. This is an increase of 16% on the previous 12 months.
More Germans, French and Malaysian tourist also visited Australia during this period than in previous years.
Mr O’Sullivan said it was pleasing to see the growth from emerging eastern markets, as well as traditional western markets.
“These are very solid numbers, with international arrivals, visitor nights and spending all up,” he said.
“China and South-East Asia continue to perform well but, equally pleasing, is a resurgence in travel from our traditional, high volume markets like the UK and US, where economic recovery is driving renewed consumer confidence and, with it, a growing appetite for overseas travel.”
Tourism Australia is planning to repeat their winning recipe with another campaign to attract Brits to Australia.
IMAGE: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince George of Cambridge as they headed back to the UK after finishing their 2014 Royal Visit to Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)