According to the Tourism Forecasting Committee, the improved economic backdrop will see international travel to Australia increase by 5.5% this year.

The bi-annual forecast, considered the industry’s most reliable gauge of tourism growth, said a further 308,000 travellers are expected this year, with arrivals from all major inbound markets set to increase.

The majority of growth will come from the US and China, both of whom will see 9% growth. The largest percentage growth will be from the Middle East (up 20%) and Indonesia (up 19%). TFC chairman Bernard Salt said the weaker Australian dollar, combined with growth in jobs and discretionary spending,  has the sector well placed.

“The recent fall in the dollar will also make  international leisure travel to Australia cheaper, while the global economic recovery should boost business travel,” he said.

Meanwhile, Salt said concerns over Australia’s international education segment had not yet materialised, with arrivals  up 7% on the back of strong growth from China. But arrivals from India have fallen, possibly due to attacks on Indian students in the past year. Outbound travel from  January to April rose 18%, including strong growth to New Zealand, Indonesia and Malaysia. However that is expected to slow to 13% this year.

Salt said the strong dollar and discounted airfares which fuelled growth last year have abated. “The modest optimism in these forecasts is based on the somewhat patchy global economic recovery gathering momentum over the course of the year,” Salt said.

Editors comments: It would be interesting to know what percentage of this total increase in Australian arrivals we will enjoy here in the far north.  These overall figures always seem to tell a good styory but soemhow when I look down the main street, I get the feeling that they are talking about somewhere else!  I would love to find some figures that could help me change my mind just one time!