An AAP report says that the Australian tourism industry has bounced back after a poor start to the year, with more international tourists flocking to the nation’s shores in February.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show a stronger 543,000 visitors in February, after numbers fell by 2.6 per cent in January.
The results represented a six per cent rise above the February 2007 figure and were buoyed by visitors from New Zealand (up 13 per cent), the USA (up 14 per cent), China (up four per cent), Malaysia (up eight per cent) and India (up 31 per cent).
But visitors from Japan and Hong Kong fell by 15 and five per cent, respectively.
Tourism Australia managing director Geoff Buckley said the industry was faring well in the current difficult economic climate and Australia was on track to record modest growth similar to the two per cent growth recorded in 2007.
He blamed a slow January on bad weather recorded across much of the east coast.
“Given that Australia is now a mass tourism destination we are faring quite well in the current climate despite the challenges of increased competition, some constraints in air capacity and weakening economic conditions in a few of our major markets,” Mr Buckley said.
He said it was especially encouraging to see an increase in US holiday-makers to Australia despite the current downturn in the US economy and continuing high exchange rates.
It was hoped increased air services and larger aircraft to be introduced later this year would also bring more tourists Down Under, he said.
By : The Mole from AAP
