International visitors flock to Victoria
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12 September 2008
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Victoria’s international reputation for outstanding regional tourism experiences is increasing with a 7.5 per cent jump in international visitors last year.
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International Visitor Survey results released this week for the year ending June 2008 showed that international overnight visitors to regional Victoria had risen to more than 320,000.
Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding said the figures reflect a response to the government’s successful marketing campaign over the past year and also the strength of the tourism industry in Victoria.
“The Victorian Government is taking action to boost regional tourism and help tourism operators to attract more local, interstate and international visitors,” Mr Holding said.
“The State’s award winning Jigsaw campaign has helped promote the diversity of each part of Victoria including our natural attractions, gourmet food and wine and our culture.
“We will continue to invest in new products, infrastructure, skills training and export development to market Victoria to international markets.”
Regional areas that experienced growth in overnight visitation include:
Mornington Peninsula 38.9 per cent;
Grampians 31.6 per cent;
Phillip Island 21.4 per cent;
Yarra Valley and the Dandenong Ranges 11 per cent;
Goldfields 8.1 per cent;
Gippsland 4.2 per cent; and
Murray region 3.3 per cent.
Mr Holding said the growth in visitor numbers and expenditure in Victoria was higher than the national average.
“International visitors to Victoria contributed $3.3 billion to the economy, an increase of 9.5 per cent from the previous year,” he said.
“By 2016 international visitors are expected to account for more than 40 per cent per cent of total tourism expenditure in Victoria.”
Mr Holding said the majority of Victorian visitors came from New Zealand, United Kingdom, China and the United States.
“The Brumby Government’s ’10-year Tourism Strategy’ focuses on developing growth international markets including Malaysia, India and other Asian countries,” he said.
“Growth prospects from China are particularly strong with a 10.6 per cent increase in Chinese visitors to Victoria.”
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