Australia in brief Visiting Australia
A popular destination
Travellers from 170 countries rated Australia as the number one place they most wanted to visit, in a survey conducted in 2006 by the Lonely Planet travel group.
The top 10 sources of tourists to Australia in 2007 were: New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, China, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Germany and Hong Kong.
While most of the top 10 sources of tourists are in the Asia-Pacific region, travellers from Europe and the Americas also consistently rank Australia highly as a tourist destination.
Around 5.6 million international tourists visited Australia in 2007. Visitors are attracted by the allure of crystal beaches, a pristine natural environment, unique fauna, friendly people and a relaxed atmosphere. But they do not come just for a beach holiday. Australian food and wine are highly regarded in world culinary circles. Australian arts have built a reputation for innovation and talent – another reason for tourists to visit. Australia’s Indigenous art is celebrated in art galleries from New York to London. Australia’s cultural diversity, tolerance, inclusiveness and cosmopolitan lifestyle also play an important role in making international visitors feel welcome.
Top 10 activities for international visitors:
- dining out in a restaurant or café: 89 per cent
- shopping for pleasure: 82 per cent
- going to the beach, including swimming, surfing and diving: 62 per cent
- going to markets: 47 per cent
- visiting national and state parks: 47 per cent
- going to pubs, clubs and discos: 40 per cent
- visiting wildlife parks, zoos and aquariums: 39 per cent
- visiting botanical or other public gardens: 35 per cent
- going on water cruises, chartering boats and ferries: 32 per cent
- visiting historic sites, heritage buildings or monuments: 31 per cent
Source: Tourism Australia survey
Did you know?
Although backpackers represent around 11 per cent of total international visitors in 2006, they spent on average twice as much as non-backpackers. Most backpackers are aged between 20 and 29 years and come from the United Kingdom, Scandinavian countries, Germany and the United States.
Australia has developed a range of important niche markets. The seven key Australian experiences marketed by Tourism Australia include Aboriginal Australia, Aussie Coastal Lifestyle, Australian Major Cities, Australian Journeys, Food and Wine, Nature in Australia and the Outback in Australia. These reflect the unique and diverse tourist experiences on offer throughout Australia.
Educational tourism represents a growing part of the Australian tourist industry. Although they represent only 7 per cent of all international visitors, educational tourists account for around 28 per cent of visitor nights. The market was worth an estimated $4 billion to the Australian economy in 2006 alone.
Did you know?
Australia is so large that it encompasses a range of climatic zones, from the tropical northern regions, through to arid expanses of the interior and temperate regions in the south. Autumn and winter in Australia are from March through May and June through August. July has the coldest average temperature, with alpine areas averaging between minus 5 and 5 degrees Celsius. The temperature in the winter in the tropics – or in ‘the dry’, as winter is known – varies between 5 and 30 degrees Celsius. During the spring and summer (September-November and December-February), Australia’s southern regions experience the highest average temperatures in January and February, while December tends to be the hottest summer month in the north.
Indigenous culture is a unique and expanding point of attraction for the Australian tourism industry. Australia’s Indigenous peoples are proud of their heritage and living cultures. They are willing to share with visitors parts of their culture, practices, beliefs and values and the meanings they attribute to the Australian landscape. During 2006 almost 830 000 international visitors had an Indigenous cultural experience in Australia, which was 15 per cent of all international visitors.
Nature-based tourism and ecotourism are prime attractions for international travellers, with almost half visiting national or state parks. In the year ending June 2007 there were 3.5 million international nature visitors.
Food and wine tourism is expanding, in line with Australia’s growing international reputation as a producer of high-quality wines and a supplier of fresh regionally based food products. Culinary visitors tend to travel for longer, spend more and go to regional areas more than other visitors.
Australia is also an attractive international destination for corporate meetings and incentives, business events and association meetings.
Updated June 2008