The number of UK visitors to Australia was up by four per cent to 732,200 in the year to September 30.
The Ashes cricket test helped boost numbers, according to figures released at World Travel Market.
Total overseas arrivals rose by 4% to 5.67 million in the year over the same period 12 months earlier.
Irish travellers to Australia rose by 11% to almost 65,000.
Tourism Australia general manager for Europe Rodney Harrex said: “We had a strong start to the year with increased numbers of British visitors travelling to various parts of Australia to watch the Ashes series cricket matches and enjoy a range of tourism experiences either sie of the fixtures.
“Going into 2008 we will be increasing efforts to promote the Working Holiday Maker Visa, highlighting the benefits of the scheme to those aged between 18 and 30.”
A new training programme for agents on a set of three CDs and an online marketing tool kit were also launched at WTM.
by Phil Davies
