The Chinese inbound market continues to flourish with the latest figures showing growth from the rapidly emerging market is well above the overall average.
ABS Overseas Arrivals and Departures figures for May showed overall international arrivals rose 1.8% year on year, with arrivals for the year to May up 0.5%. Meanwhile, arrivals from China were up 14.9% for the month and 16.9% in the 12 months to May.
The strong growth justified the industry’s ongoing focus on the market, according to TTF chief executive John Lee.
“With the strong rise in arrivals from China, international arrivals would be declining,” Lee said.
But he warned that Australia was not the only country targeting the Chinese traveller.
The US had seen growth from China of 48% in the first four months of 2012, with overall growth from Asia of 27%. It is “aggressively” positioning itself as a destination for Asian travellers.
Australia, in comparison, saw overall growth of 5.9% from Asia in the first four months of 2012, with arrivals from Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand in decline.
Lee insisted, in addition to the Chinese focus, it was vital not to lose sight of other Asian markets.
“It is vital Australian agencies have sufficient resources to promote Australia in those key markets to ensure we don’t lose hard-won market share,” Lee said.
Meanwhile, growth in outbound travel outpaced inbound increases as departures by Australians climbed 5.3% for the month and 7.6% for the year ended May 2012.
