Increased air connectivity is helping fuel a tourism boom to Australia.
Airlines have increased overall capacity on international routes into the country by eight per cent for the latter part of 2024, with higher growth in capacity from regional hubs like Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, China and Singapore.
Australia has also benefitted from a remarkable surge in arrivals from the U.S., with bookings from families (three to five people) up 43 per cent. Continued growth from China, projected at +25 per cent through the end of 2024, further strengthens this positive trajectory.
The encouraging data was released by travel intelligence firm ForwardKeys at the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in Perth.
The company revealed that the Asia Pacific region was leading a global surge in international arrivals, up 16 per cent compared to 2023.
While the region still lags pre-pandemic levels, the current pace of year-on-year growth signals continued recovery and highlights the pent-up demand for travel within APAC.
This positive trend is set to continue through the end of the year, with double-digit growth in arrivals to China, Malaysia, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia fuelling a projected +19 per cent overall increase.
Meanwhile, Oceania sees a +10 per cent upswing, with arrivals to New Zealand and Australia being key drivers.
“Destinations like Australia and New Zealand, with a distinct peak season, face the challenge of balancing demand throughout the year,” said Olivier Ponti, Director of Intelligence & Marketing at ForwardKeys.
“Effective data-driven strategies are crucial for mitigating the negative impacts of seasonal fluctuations, such as overcrowding during peak periods and underutilised resources during the off-season.
“By diversifying source markets and promoting year-round attractions, destinations can ensure long-term, sustainable growth.”
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said they expected travel and tourism’s contribution to the APAC region’s economy to reach $US3.22TN by the end of this year, with almost 191 million people across the region working in the industry.
