Australia to Renew Focus on Indian and Chinese Middle Class Tourists

Australia is set to renew its focus on wooing the cash rich middle class population of India and China at the Australian Tourism Directions conference in Canberra. According to a PTI report, the conference, to be held from tomorrow, will also analyse the progress of plans to double overnight visitor spending to USD 140 billion by 2020.

“Now more than ever we need to remain focused on the big picture improvements that can enhance the long-term competitiveness of the sector,” said Martin Ferguson, Federal Tourism Minister, Government of Australia. He added that the conference will renew the industry's focus on Asia and the rise of China as Australia's most valuable tourism market.

“It will also examine the need for more and better hotel accommodation, for higher investment in destinations and for increasing aviation capacity,” Ferguson said. Andrew McEvoy, Head, Tourism Australia will discuss the challenges of ensuring that Australia creates a long lasting appeal to global travellers.

A new report released by Tourism Research Australia has revealed that tourism's total contribution to the Australian economy in 2009/10 was USD 71.7 billion, or around 5.6 per cent of GDP.