Asia focus supporting continues growth for Australia

SYDNEY- The continued strong growth from Asian markets shows our efforts to build access and promote the breadth of Australian products have been well placed, ATEC Managing Director, Felicia Mariani said.
The release of June 2013 Overseas Arrivals and Departures data by the Australian Bureau of Statistics identifies the strength of markets including China, India and Malaysia which have all increased their proportion of visitors since 2007/08 as a percentage of overall international arrivals.
“These figures released today look at the long term trend of the top ten source markets and show that since 2007/08 markets such as Malaysia, China, India and Singapore, have all increased their proportion of the total number of overseas visitor arrivals," Ms Mariani said.
"These monthly figures also show that in the 12 months to June 2013, we have seen 6.3 million international visitors to Australia, a record number of arrivals."
Figures for traditional markets of the UK and US, by contrast, have consistently weakened over this same period and these markets now hold a smaller proportion of the overall arrival numbers to Australia.
“While the Asian markets continue to grow in their dominant share of our arrivals as they become increasingly connected with more low cost airlines from the region, recent fuel levy increases announced by Qantas will undoubtedly impact our more price sensitive markets – particularly from Europe and the US where we only just beginning to see modest signs of recovery.
"We can clearly see from the comparative figures from 2002/03, 07/08 and 2012/13 that the GFC definitely weakened these markets and this has had a serious and long-term impact on performance from a number of our key markets."
Ms Mariani said the figures also showed the significance of recent moves to increase direct services to non-eastern seaboard destinations such as Adelaide.
“South Australia has recognised a significant opportunity in the Malaysian market and put forth a strong and convincing offering that showcases the diverse and distinct experiences they have to offer.
“The new services by AirAsiaX will no doubt increase the number of Malaysians visiting South Australia and opens up a significant new market for local operators.
“ATEC congratulates the South Australian Tourism Commission on its efforts to showcase the exceptional local experiences that will appeal to the Malaysian traveller including their unique wildlife, soft adventure, food and wine.
“This new agreement makes the Eyre Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, Fleurieu Peninsula and Adelaide Hills; as well as swimming with sea lions, sharks and tuna – truly accessible for the Malaysian visitor.

Sourced: TravelDailyNews