Tourism expenditure bright start to the new year

Australia’s tourism industry continues to bounce back despite the challenges of COVID-19.

According to Tourism Research Australia statistics, the March quarter 2022 saw the domestic overnight visitor spend exceed pre-COVID levels by $2.6 billion, an increase of 14 per cent when compared to the March quarter 2020.

Total domestic visitor spend, which includes overnight and day spend, reached $25.9 billion. This is $1.5 billion higher than the next highest quarter during the pandemic, confirming that Australians were out travelling and experiencing all the destinations and experiences our nation has to offer.

“Australia is the best place in the world to take a holiday and the March results clearly demonstrate that Australians agree,” Minister Farrell said.

“Australians spent 70 million nights visiting regional areas in the March quarter. As a result, regional tourism spending rates were not only higher than last year, but also 23 per cent higher than the same quarter before the pandemic quarter. It is tremendous to see Australia’s regions doing so well as tourism recovers.”

Together with the resilient Tourism Investment Monitor results, released in March, and increasing international traveller rates, the March quarter 2022 domestic visitor spend rates show that Australia’s visitor economy can look forward with confidence. Australia has a bright future as a world-class tourism destination.

Australia welcomed back fully vaccinated international travellers on February 21, leading to an increase in international spend of $1.4 billion, or 106 per cent of the December quarter 2021 spend. Overall, international spend in Australia’s visitor economy remained lower than pre-pandemic levels but the positive quarterly result indicates international travellers are intent on returning to Australian shores.

For the full results visit tra.gov.au