Tourism update | 19 May 2023

19 May 2023

Roundtable with Minister Farrell and ABS arrivals

Australian Chamber – Tourism members attended a roundtable with Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Don Farrell, who had recently returned from China on Tuesday.

Members discussed the 2023-24 budget and ABS arrivals data released that day.

There were 635,730 short-term visitor arrivals in March 2023, which is 15.7 per cent down on 2019, prior to pandemic restrictions. 

The data showed that, since the easing of international travel restrictions from November 2021, the number of visitors to Australia has increased.

‘Visiting friends/relatives’ increased by 1.6 million in 2022, the most of any reason for journey, and was 62 per cent of the 2019 volume.

The proportion of visitors listing ‘visiting friends/relatives’ decreased from its peak of 73 per cent in December 2021 but remained the most common reason in 2022.

‘Holiday’ increased by 1,034,980, but was just 24 per cent of the 2019 volume, the lowest of any reason for journey. 

‘Employment’ increased by 127,210 and was 70% of the 2019 volume, the highest of any reason for journey.

Whilst the leisure visitation is weaker than visiting friends/relatives or employment, there is evidence of this vital market returning as traveller health concerns subside.







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