International arrivals to Australia have continued to surge after recent data have shown a 9,6 per cent increase growth in September on the back of a surge from the US and Asia.

 

Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson, said the latest Overseas Arrivals and Departures figures show the effectiveness of the There is Nothing Like Australia campaign.

 

“With the roll out of Tourism Australia’s There’s nothing like Australia campaign, the interest of Chinese tourists in travelling to Australia continues to grow strongly,” Minister Ferguson said.

 

“It is also pleasing to see arrivals from the USA and Japanese markets continue the upward trend, offsetting declines from Europe.”

 

Arrivals from the USA and Japan increased 13.1 per cent and 6.6 per cent in September 2012.

 

The first quarter of this financial year saw arrivals from China continue to grow at record levels, up 17.2 per cent driven by growth in July (up 11.9 per cent), August (up 16.6 per cent), and September (up 26.5 per cent).

 

Arrivals for the month of September from Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia increased strongly by 33.9 per cent, 14.5 per cent, and 11.4 per cent respectively, continuing the upward trend from the last release.

 

Europe remains soft given ongoing economic challenges in the Eurozone with arrivals from the United Kingdom down 3.5 per cent from September 2011 and 5.1 per cent for the September quarter.