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Tourism

International inbound tourism - Characteristics There were 4,651,785 visitors in 1999-2000, a 9% increase in visitor arrivals from 1998-99. During the six months to the end of 2000 (table 22.12) there were 2,666,000 visitors, an increase of 12% on the corresponding period in 1999. This increase is partly due to the arrival of visitors for the Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games, held during the months of September and October 2000.

22.12 INBOUND VISITORS(a)
Financial year
Visitors

no.
Change(b)

%
1991-92
2,519,712
13.1
1992-93
2,785,597
10.6
1993-94
3,168,961
13.8
1994-95
3,535,265
11.6
1995-96
3,966,161
12.2
1996-97
4,252,654
7.2
1997-98
4,220,005
-0.8
1998-99
4,288,027
1.6
1999-2000
4,651,785
8.5
(a) Final overseas arrivals and departures data for calendar year 2000 are not available due to delays being experienced by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs in processing passenger cards. Financial year data are presented in this table for only the 2002 edition of Year Book Australia.
(b) From previous financial year.

Source: Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia (3401.0).


In 1999-2000 there were significant increases in inbound visitors from most countries, compared to 1998-99. The largest increase was from Korea (58%). The largest decrease was in visitors from Indonesia (17%). (table 22.13)

In 1998-99, the most international visitors to Australia came from Japan. The number of Japanese visitors decreased by 3% in 1999-2000 while the number of visitors from New Zealand increased by 8%. This saw New Zealand become Australia's most important source, accounting for 17% of total inbound visitors, followed by Japan with 15% of inbound visitors and the United Kingdom with 12%.

Over half (56%) of all international visitors who arrived during 1999-2000 came to Australia for a holiday. Another 19% came to visit friends/relatives and 12% arrived for business purposes or to attend a convention or conference. (table 22.14)

Visitors from New Zealand and the United Kingdom constituted almost half (46%) of all international visitors who came to visit friends/relatives in 1999-2000. New Zealand was the main source of visitors for business purposes (25%), to attend a convention or conference (20%), and for employment (26%). Japan provided 23% of visitors arriving for a holiday. Asian countries accounted for nearly two-thirds (64%) of all visitors arriving in Australia for 'education' purposes.

22.13 INBOUND VISITORS, By Country/Region of Residence and Main Purpose of Trip - 1999-2000(a)
Main purpose of trip
Country/region of residence
Convention/
conference

'000
Business

'000
Visiting friends/
relatives

'000
Holiday

'000
Employment

'000
Education

'000
Other and not stated

'000
Total
visitors

'000
Change on 1998-99

%
New Zealand
22.8
117.0
215.3
347.7
11.5
5.5
53.2
773.1
7.5
Other Oceania
5.1
10.8
26.9
57.0
1.0
6.7
28.0
135.4
-0.6
Germany
2.4
10.8
20.1
102.0
0.8
3.4
7.7
147.2
13.4
United Kingdom
7.0
35.4
197.9
266.5
9.5
3.2
34.7
554.4
14.8
Other Europe
12.8
36.7
90.8
227.6
6.3
14.2
40.7
429.1
15.9
Indonesia
1.8
8.0
14.3
32.7
0.8
15.1
10.4
83.1
-17.2
Malaysia
3.8
9.6
26.6
86.9
0.5
10.5
8.9
146.8
14.6
Singapore
5.8
31.4
30.1
183.7
0.7
13.0
12.3
277.0
13.3
Hong Kong (SAR of China)
3.0
16.8
27.9
81.6
0.3
10.3
9.1
149.0
7.4
Japan
4.0
26.2
19.7
604.3
2.7
10.8
37.8
705.5
-2.8
Korea
4.9
9.9
16.9
83.5
0.6
10.3
13.2
139.4
57.7
Taiwan
1.8
5.3
9.0
103.0
0.3
7.4
14.1
140.9
-4.3
Other Asia
13.0
44.6
52.4
111.0
3.3
27.2
39.3
290.8
16.7
United States of America
18.6
73.2
90.5
197.6
3.4
17.2
36.4
436.9
11.0
Other America
4.9
10.1
29.9
51.9
1.6
5.5
10.3
114.2
7.3
Middle East and North Africa
1.6
4.1
13.4
25.6
0.3
1.0
5.9
52.0
12.6
Other Africa
2.8
8.8
22.1
27.8
0.9
1.7
8.4
72.4
-6.9
Not stated
-
-
0.3
0.2
-
-
3.9
4.4
37.5
Total
116.3
458.9
904.2
2,590.5
44.3
163.1
374.5
4,651.8
8.5
(a) Final overseas arrivals and departures data for calendar year 2000 are not available due to delays being experienced by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs in processing passenger cards. Financial year data are presented in this table for only the 2002 edition of Year Book Australia.

Source: Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia (3401.0).


The long travelling distances to Australia contribute to long stays for international visitors. In 1999-2000, 41% of visitors stayed a minimum of two weeks, while 21% stayed for at least a month (table 22.14). Over two-thirds (67%) of travellers 'visiting friends or relatives' stayed at least two weeks. Visitors arriving for 'education' purposes also tended to stay for long periods (83% for a minimum of two weeks and 47% for six months or more), but their absolute numbers were relatively small.


22.14 INBOUND VISITORS, By Intended Length of Stay and Main Purpose of Trip - 1999-2000(a)
Main purpose of trip
Intended length of stay
Convention/
conference

'000
Business

'000
Visiting
friends/
relatives

'000
Holiday

'000
Employment

'000
Education

'000
Other
and not stated

'000
Total
visitors

'000
Proportion
of total

%
Under 1 week
41.7
218.9
105.2
828.5
4.5
6.6
88.7
1,294.2
27.8
1 week and under 2 weeks
51.6
128.9
194.7
823.8
6.7
20.6
203.8
1,430.0
30.7
2 weeks and under 1 month
18.6
56.2
289.9
540.6
2.4
13.0
33.9
954.6
20.5
1 month and under 2 months
2.7
20.8
161.2
202.4
2.5
9.2
14.0
412.8
8.9
2 months and under 3 months
0.5
10.7
53.4
57.6
2.3
9.2
6.8
140.4
3.0
3 months and under 6 months
0.8
14.1
65.9
73.9
5.0
27.4
10.5
197.6
4.2
6 months and under 12 months
0.4
9.2
33.9
63.7
21.0
77.1
16.8
222.1
4.8
Total
116.3
458.9
904.2
2,590.5
44.3
163.1
374.5
4,651.8
100.0
(a) Final overseas arrivals and departures data for calendar year 2000 are not available due to delays being experienced by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs in processing passenger cards. Financial year data are presented in this table for only the 2002 edition of Year Book Australia.

Source: Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia (3401.0).

In 1999-2000 most arrivals were in December (10% of total arrivals), while the fewest arrivals (7%) were in May (table 22.15). A number of factors contribute to the relative lack of seasonality, primarily the attractive climate experienced in different parts of Australia throughout the whole year and the wide diversity of source countries.

22.15 INBOUND VISITORS, By Month and Main Purpose of Trip - 1999-2000(a)
Main purpose of trip
Month
Convention/
conference

'000
Business

'000
Visiting
friends/
relatives

'000
Holiday

'000
Employment

'000
Education

'000
Other
and
not stated

'000
Total
visitors

'000
Proportion
of total

%
1999
July
10.6
35.7
67.6
205.8
4.2
29.3
35.1
388.5
8.4
August
9.3
38.0
56.7
212.2
3.6
7.5
28.3
355.6
7.6
September
11.5
36.6
67.0
197.9
3.7
7.5
29.0
353.1
7.6
October
12.1
37.9
77.0
221.8
3.4
10.8
33.9
397.0
8.5
November
11.4
44.2
83.6
237.0
3.9
5.8
30.8
416.7
9.0
December
3.6
27.0
120.7
271.8
2.9
6.5
28.3
460.8
9.9
2000
January
6.5
29.6
66.1
195.4
4.7
22.9
35.6
360.8
7.8
February
8.4
41.7
74.3
241.4
3.5
33.2
32.0
434.6
9.3
March
10.4
45.4
76.3
235.2
3.8
9.1
31.7
411.9
8.9
April
11.1
38.3
87.7
221.7
3.9
9.8
33.0
405.6
8.7
May
11.6
44.7
57.5
166.1
3.5
9.1
26.9
319.3
6.9
June
9.8
39.8
69.6
184.2
3.2
11.5
29.8
347.9
7.5
Total
116.3
458.9
904.2
2,590.5
44.3
163.1
374.5
4,651.8
100.0
(a) Final overseas arrivals and departures data for calendar year 2000 are not available due to delays being experienced by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs in processing passenger cards. Financial year data are presented in this table for only the 2002 edition of Year Book Australia.

Source: Overseas Arrivals and Departures, Australia (3401.0).



New South Wales is by far the most popular State for all categories of international visitors. In 1999-2000, 38% of all nights spent by international visitors were spent in New South Wales. Queensland was the next most popular State, accounting for 22% of all international visitor nights. Tasmania was the least popular destination, accounting for less than 2% of international visitor nights in 1999-2000 (table 22.16).


22.16 INBOUND VISITOR NIGHTS(a), By State/Territory and Main Purpose of Trip - 1999-2000(b)
Main purpose of trip
State/Territory
Business

'000
Visiting
friends/relatives

'000
Holiday

'000
All other reasons

'000
Total

'000
Proportion
of total

%
New South Wales
2,702
7,738
16,168
15,623
42,232
37.6
Victoria
1,573
4,693
5,667
8,709
20,642
18.4
Queensland
803
4,593
14,342
4,440
24,177
21.5
South Australia
288
1,089
1,700
2,011
5,089
4.5
Western Australia
435
3,107
4,820
4,836
13,197
11.7
Tasmania
123
308
619
651
1,702
1.5
Northern Territory
136
333
2,399
429
3,297
2.9
Australian Capital Territory
179
299
286
1,240
2,004
1.8
Australia
6,259
22,161
46,002
37,939
112,361
100.0
(a) All visitors aged 15 years and over.
(b) The Bureau of Tourism Research uses final overseas and arrivals data to compile the International Visitor Survey results. Because of the delays in the receipt of these data for calendar year 2000, financial year data are presented in this table for only the 2002 edition of Year Book Australia.

Source: International Visitor Survey, Bureau of Tourism Research.
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