India has come up to be the fifth largest inbound market for Tourism in Australia as the ABS, i.e., The Australian Bureau of Statistics, says that arrivals from India till 2024 January stood at 402,000. It is a major increment of about 101 percent of 2019 levels. It is the first time that it has crossed this number of arrivals from India, and with which the ranking of India moved forward to be the 5th largest inbound market in 2024 from number 7 in 2019. In just January 2024 itself India witnessed about 26,200 visitors which is about 106 percent of that was in 2019.
January of this year noticed a notable increase in Indian tourist arrivals to Australia, which is an increase of 6.07 percent as compared to the same month in 2019. This increment signifies a growing interest of Indian tourists to explore the diverse offerings of the country. From February 2023 to January 2024, the number of Indian tourists to Australia increased and reached an impressive milestone of 400K mark, and this underscores the strong connection between the two nations .
According to Country Manager – India & Gulf for Tourism Australia , Nishant Kashikar says “This resurgence of Indian tourists to Australia is a testament to the resilience and rebound of international travel, particularly from one of our most valued markets. This is a clear indicator of the strong desire for travel and exploration among the Indian travelers, who are drawn to Australia’s unique landscapes, wildlife, and the multicultural vibrancy of our cities.”
This outstanding increase in the number of Indian tourists is not just a statistic but is the result of the mutual efforts of Tourism Australia and its partners. Australia was not the preferred destination for Indians before and is not very strong, but it is now ruled by perfect planning and a combination of target marketing strategies, the ease of a fully digitalized visa application procedure, and an increase in air travel options between both countries. The great results of these strategies can be seen in the rising number of travellers every year post-2019.
Tourism Australia has been working closely with airlines as well as key distribution partners and making all the efforts with more than 5000 Aussie Specialist agents in India. All these efforts helped and supported in driving consideration and conversion rates among potential travellers, displaying the commitment of tourism to revive and expand its travel base.
The growing popularity of Australia among Indians has many reasons, which include unique landscapes, the multicultural vibrancy of cities, outstanding attractions, and rich wildlife. The marketing initiatives played a crucial role in making Australia an attractive and appealing destination, and all these efforts made by both countries were supported by the speed and ease of the visa application process, which is now digitized and more accessible. Tourists are also encouraged by the growing air travel options between Australia and India, which will lead to convenient travel. This increase in the number of tourists benefits Australian tourism and contributes to the economy as a whole. This increase in the number of tourists attracts significant revenue and supports local businesses hence creating job options as well. Also, cultural exchange and tourism elevate mutual understanding as well and strengthen the bilateral relations among both countries.
In future, this increase in Indian tourists visiting Australia is poised for further growth. Both countries will continue to strengthen their ties and invest in joint tourism initiatives, which will also attract many more visitors. Tourism Australia’s initiatives have highlighted the importance of targeted marketing, strong partnerships, ease of access, and expanding the tourism sector post-pandemic.
This record breaking number of over 400000 tourists visiting Australia is a milestone that reflects the flexibility of international travel and immerging of Australia as the preferred destination in 2024. Tourism Australia and its partners, who worked tirelessly to attract and welcome visitors, made this achievement possible.
Post-pandemic Indian travelers are now drawn to destinations worldwide offering unique experiences comprising athletic events, festivals, concerts, and many multicultural encounters. Indian tourists are now seeking destinations that promise many experiences and memories.
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