Australian tourism to boost in the coming year

CANBERRA - It is estimated tourism expenditure in Australia to grow by 5.9 percent to $71.9 billion in 2012/13 from Chinese visitors and locals, according to a latest report on Friday by IBISWorld, the independent publisher of US industry research.

The shift follows a tough five years for the industry, with spending falling in 2009 and 2011 due to the global economic downturn.

Domestic overnight trips are expected to grow by four percent during the coming year, with spending rising 5.9 percent, IBISWorld general manager Karen Dobie said.

"Tourism Australia's marketing efforts in China, and the gradual rebound of the UK and US economies, will support growth," Dobie mentioned. Visitors from China, India, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and the United States would make the most significant contribution to Australia's tourism industry.

The total spend on hotels, motels, resorts and serviced apartments is set to reach $11.4 billion in 2012/13, the report said.

Dobie also said Chinese and Indian visitors would provide a boost for the retail sector, particularly luxury goods, but they also presented challenges such as the provision of language services and catering to their food tastes.