Regional Australia benefits from domestic & international travel expenditure

In 2004 domestic and international visitors spent $63.7 billion in Australia. Of this amount, international visitors spent $12.6 billion and domestic visitors accounted for over four fifths – $51.1 billion.

54% of the domestic vsitor spending was in regional Australia (ie excluding eight capital cities and the Gold Coast tourism region) and the majority of international spending (78%) was in the capital cities and the Gold Coast.

Between 1999 and 2004 international visitor spending grew at a faster rate than domestic visitor spending, increasing at an annual rate of 6.3%.

Between 1999 and 2004, spending by domestic day visitors declined at an average rate of 1.3% across Australia’s regions, mainly due to fewer Australians taking day trips. In contrast domestic visitor overnight spending increased at an average annual rate of 6.3%.

NSW received $19.6 billion from domestic and international visitors in 2004, followed by Queensland ($16.9 billion), Victoria ($12.6 billion) Western Australia ($6.1 billion) South Australia ($4.0 billion), Tasmania ($2.0 billion) Northern Territory ($!.5 billion) and ACT ($1.1 billion).

The ‘top’ 5 regions in terms of domestic visitor sepnding were Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Experience Perth. In terms of international visitor spending, the top regions were Sydney, Melbourne, Tropical North Queensland, Experience Perth and the Gold Coast.

This is a new report released by Tourism Research Australia (TRA).

The report, Travel Expenditure by Domestic and International Visitors in Australia’s Regions, 2004 is available in electronic format. The CD can be purchased from Tourism Research Australia, ph (02) 6213 6940 or email tra@tourism.australia.com. For statistical enquiries contact (02) 6213 7124.

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:
Dr Peter Robins, General Manager, Tourism Research Australia, ph (02) 62136940 Mobile: 0418607343