How Much Is the Australian Tourism Industry Worth?

By Anna Duncan

The Australian tourism industry is one of the most vital sectors of the country’s economy. The industry generates significant revenue and provides numerous employment opportunities for Australians. In this article, we’ll take a look at how much the Australian tourism industry is worth.

Overview of the Australian Tourism Industry

The Australian tourism industry comprises a variety of businesses, including accommodation providers, restaurants, tour operators, and travel agencies. The sector is responsible for promoting Australia as a tourist destination and providing services to visitors once they arrive.

Tourism Statistics

According to Tourism Research Australia, in 2019, the Australian tourism industry generated $60.8 billion in direct tourism gross domestic product (GDP). This accounted for 3.1% of Australia’s total GDP. In addition to this, the sector contributed $107.1 billion to the economy in total GDP.

In terms of employment, the industry provided 666,000 jobs directly and indirectly in 2019. This equates to around 5% of total employment in Australia.

Tourism Expenditure

Domestic tourism expenditure accounted for $80.7 billion in 2019. This was a 4% increase on the previous year. The average spend per trip was $1,149 for domestic tourists.

International tourism expenditure was $45 billion in 2019, with China being the largest market contributing $11.2 billion towards this figure.

Tourist Arrivals

In 2019 there were over 9 million international visitors to Australia; this was an increase of 2% from the previous year. The top five markets were China (1.4 million), New Zealand (1.4 million), USA (764 thousand), United Kingdom (674 thousand) and Japan (453 thousand).

Domestic overnight trips increased by 5% compared to the previous year, with 113 million domestic overnight trips recorded in 2019.

Conclusion

The Australian tourism industry is a significant contributor to the country’s economy. The sector generates substantial revenue and provides numerous job opportunities for Australians. The figures show that the industry is growing and will continue to be an essential part of Australia’s economic future.