AUSTRALIA. International arrivals to Australia in February were up +6.3% year-on-year – the sixth consecutive monthly rise, according to federal Tourism Minister Joe Hockey.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics’ preliminary arrival figures for February over 2003 put New Zealand arrivals up +24.8%, Thailand +15.5% Germany +14.5%, Korea +8.4%, US +4% and Japan +3.9%.
Hockey said the government was committed to helping the industry continue its recent growth.
He pointed to recent government announcements of capacity increases in the near future between Australia and the US, China, India and Korea.
“There was also the recent offer to Emirates and Gulf Air to lift capacity between Australia and the UAE.”
The Australian Tourist Commission has launched more than 30 campaigns across the UK, Europe, US, Asia and Japanese markets this year, he said.
