Victoria Number One For Tourism

Victoria’s global appeal as a tourist destination and impressive calendar of events is helping us to attract more visitors than ever before and outperform interstate competitors.

The latest International Visitor Survey results, released by Tourism Research Australia, show Victoria welcomed 2.1 million international visitors in 2014 – an 8.9 per cent increase on the year prior.

We were well above the national average, and also fared better than key competitors New South Wales (6.7 per cent) and Queensland (5.5 per cent).

Minister for Tourism and Major Events, John Eren, said the data is further proof Victoria is leading New South Wales and Queensland as Australia’s preferred destination for international visitors.

Long-term trends show Victoria is outperforming the two states in growth rates for international visitors, overnight expenditure and visitor nights for the 2008 – 2014 period.

The Survey results reveal Asian visitation has grown by 15.2 per cent for the year ending December 2014. A resurgence among Western markets in Europe, the USA and New Zealand is likely to see more visitors travel to Australia.

The data comes as Mr Eren opens the Australian Tourism Exchange, our nation’s largest annual travel industry business-to-business event. The ATE is our state’s opportunity to influence the biggest buyers on the global tourism stage and Victoria is playing a greater role than ever – a record 74 Victorian exhibitors are competing.

Victoria is the events capital of Australia and the nation’s tourism leader, and the Andrews Labor Government is committed to ensuring we stay that way.

The Victorian Visitor Economy review – the first of its kind in nearly 20 years – is almost finished, while the 2015-16 Victorian Budget provides an additional $80 million towards our war chest for the biggest and best events.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism and Major Events, John Eren

“We are the events capital of Australia and the national leader for tourism – the figures prove it.”

“More overseas visitors than ever before are choosing Victoria as their preferred destination in Australia, but we won’t be complacent. We have to work hard to remain number one.”

“The Australian Tourism Exchange, here for the first time in six years, is our chance to impress the world’s biggest players and showcase our appeal to the rest of the world.”

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