Hingerty: ‘Things can only get better’

Short-term visitor arrivals in January increased by nearly five per cent year-on-year according to latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).  

Some 485,400 arrivals were recorded in the first month of 2010, up 4.8 per cent compared to January 2009.

Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) managing director Matt Hingerty said the GFC had left the tourism industry leaner, stronger and ready to compete for the global tourism dollar.

“The inbound tourism industry was hit by everything but the kitchen sink during the GFC, and not only survived but positioned itself to prosper when economic conditions eased. As a discretionary item, tourism is one of the first industries to feel the impact of a slowing economy and one of the first to rebound when things improve. The industry has worked hard to keep Australia front of mind with potential travellers overseas – hopefully these sustained marketing efforts will now start to bear fruit.”

Hingerty said the continued strength of the Australian dollar means it will take a long time for the tourism industry to recover, but insisted the latest figures show there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“We’re a long way from declaring that the good times are back, but these figures show that the bad times may be ending,” he added.

By Martin Lane  ·  March 5th, 2010 at 5:05 pm

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Comments


  1. Greg cole
    6 Mar 10
    8:12 am

    2. Numbers might be rebounding, but I wouldn’t put the champagne anywhere near the fridge yet. We are now more than ever an expensive BP destination. Its standards and value for money that must be well and truly under the spotlight.

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