International travellers coming back to Australia

Figures released today have revealed Australia is experiencing a solid recovery in international arrivals.

Released today, Tourism Research Australia?s International Visitor Survey (IVS) showed that the country welcomed three percent more foreigners for the for the twelve months to March 2010 compared to the same period last year.

Visitor nights were up five percent while international tourism expenditure figures rose four percent to $661 million.

In the 2010 March quarter, international visitor numbers were up 6 percent year on year, with visitor nights up 8 percent, representing the biggest increase since 1999.

International tourism expenditure figures rose 3 percent to $186 million in the quarter.

Of Australia?s top 10 international markets, Korea rose by 15 percent, USA and China were up seven percent, UK was up two percent and Japan rose by three percent.

The business travel market also rebounded with a 10 percent increased compared to a 14 percent decline the year before.

The Minister for Tourism Martin Ferguson welcomed the figures, attributing the increases to the successful marketing and presence of Australia.

He said the Australian Government would now invest $5.5 million over four years to implement and operate the National Tourism Accreditation Framework to strengthen Australia's tourism industry.

?Assuring the quality of Australia's tourism products through accreditation is essential to providing tourists with confidence and will position Australian tourism for long-term health and success? he said.

?The Australian Government is also investing a further $4.1 million in Australia's international tourism trade between China and Australia.