Overseas arrivals and departures data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics released have revealed a clearer picture of the tourism opportunities from the growth in Asian markets and business travel.

Weaknesses in the economies of some of Australia’s traditional markets were offset by growing Asian markets, meaning there was an overall decrease in visitor arrivals to Australia in the year to December 2011 of 0.2 per cent.

International arrivals increased in 11 of Australia’s top 20 markets in 2012. Arrivals from China remained buoyant increasing 19.4 per cent in 2011 to 542,000 arrivals, making it Australia’s third largest inbound market behind New Zealand and the United Kingdom. 

Increases were also seen from Singapore and Malaysia, up 3.4 per cent and 1.8 per cent respectively.

Arrivals for business travel increased 6.0 per cent in 2011 while other sectors such as holiday travel decreased by 4.1 per cent.

In the month of December, short term visitor arrivals decreased 0.5 per cent from December 2010. A 12.2 per cent decrease in arrivals from the United Kingdom contributed to this decline, on the back of a large increase in December 2010 when tourists came to Australia for the Ashes tour.

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The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson, said that the figures highlight opportunities for the tourism industry in 2012 and beyond.

“While the high Australian dollar and affordable airfares are continuing to make overseas travel feasible for more Australians, Australia is consistently attracting a record number of international visitors,” Minister Ferguson said.

“The data shows the growth potential in major Asian markets, and in business travel replacing declines in visitor arrivals from traditional markets."

Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree's executive officer, Doug Ryan, said there is work being undertaken to prepare Port Douglas for an expected increase in Chinese visitors to the region.

"To give you some of the strategies we're making sure Port Douglas is Chinese ready. We're in discussions with Tourism Queensland to bring up a couple of Chinese market specialists and we'll do a presentation on products that are specifically interested in that market. We're also concentrating on our inbound agents."

Mr Ryan said that while package tour purchasers are being attracted to major centres and capital cities, "Free Independent Travellers" from China are coming to the region.

"That's the area which is developing rapidly and that's where we can have some serious immediate impact," he said.

"We're working with Quicksilver, Sheraton, and CaPTA. They have a team who are working in that market and we keep in constant communication with them."

The upward trend in the number of Australian’s travelling overseas is also continuing with departures up 7.1 per cent in December 2011 compared to December 2010.

The Overseas Arrivals and Departures data are at www.abs.gov.au.  

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