International arrivals into Australia fell by 10,000 in 2011 while departures surged to 7.8 million, in a trend described as "seriously worrying" by the Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF).
And with the dollar likely to remain strong and money being ploughed into hotel development in south east Asia, local tourism operators are facing an “uncertain future”, managing director John Lee said.
Lee said the TTF advisory board raised its concerns with prime minister Julia Gillard last week and presented “five practical ways” that the government and industry could “ensure sustainable growth in tourism”.
