Australia was one of Asia Pacific’s success stories for the UK in 2011 with a rise in visitor numbers of 11%.
The increase resulted in arrivals from our shores into Britain breaking the one million barrier.
Speaking at the opening of Destination Britain and Ireland (DEBI) trade show in Bangkok last night, VisitBritain overseas network director Keith Beecham singled out Australia, Japan and, predictably, China as the standout performers from the region.
“Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa accounts for 28% of all tourism spend in Britain and 2011 was a strong year for visits and spend from the APMEA region,” Beecham said.
Along with Australia’s 11% increase, visitors from Japan climbed 6% and from China by 35%.
Beecham said the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee represent a huge opportunity to sell Britain to the world.
In the first three months of 2012, visitor numbers climbed 4% and spend by 3%.
“The year has started well,” he said.
VisitBritain is aiming to attract 30.7 million visitors in 2012.
Half the buyers at DEBI are from the region, underlining its appetite for Britain, Beecham added.
