Staycations on the rise as Aussies get outdoors

More Aussies are holidaying at home and enjoying the natural beauties and wonders our country has to offer - helping set new tourism records.

An increase in overnight trips by Australians has seen spending by domestic tourists increase six percent to a record $64.5 billion in 2017.

Combined with the record $41.3 billion spent by international tourists during the same period, total tourism spending has reached a new record of almost $106 billion, up six per cent on the previous year.

This record spending by tourists is driving economic growth and helping create new jobs across the country.

The good news is revealed in the National Visitor Survey, released today.

It shows domestic overnight trips reached 97 million, up seven per cent, and nights hit 351 million, up five per cent, during the year. This saw record participation in outdoor activities such as:

• a visit to a national park or state park, up 14 per cent to 11.2 million,
• bushwalking or rainforests walks, up 14 per cent to 11.8 million,
• water activities/sports, up 20 per cent to 3.6 million,
• attendance at an organised sporting event, up 11 per cent to 3.9 million,
• snow skiing, up 37 per cent to 603,000,
• a visit to an Indigenous site or community, up 22 per cent to 465,000.

It is great to see Aussies are getting out and enjoying our beautiful country. Holidaying at home supports our economy and local jobs.

Across the country, more tourists are visiting and they're staying longer and spending more. Almost all states and territories are enjoying record growth.

More tourists mean more jobs, which is why the Turnbull Government continues to provide record funding for Tourism Australia.

The National Visitor Survey is available from www.tra.gov.au