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If it feels like everyone’s in Japan, they are…

ATIA released its latest Travel Trends Report, revealing a significant surge in both inbound and outbound travel for Australia in the year ending June 2024. The report, which draws on data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Department of Infrastructure and analysis from the ATIA team, highlights key trends shaping the Australian travel and tourism industry.

According to the report, international travel to and from Australia has experienced remarkable growth, with a 36% increase in inbound tourism and a 31.8% rise in outbound travel compared to the previous year. Notably, the number of international visitors to Australia reached nearly 8 million, with substantial increases from key markets, such as China (231.1%), Japan (108.0%) and the United States (28.3%).

Outbound travel by Australians also saw significant increases, particularly to popular destinations like Japan (125.9%), Indonesia (35.8%) and the United States (17.3%). This trend highlights Australians’ growing appetite for international travel, buoyed by the easing of global travel restrictions and an increasing desire for new experiences abroad.

The report also highlighted a shift in the reasons Australians are travelling, with holidays accounting for the majority of trips, followed by visits to friends and relatives, and business travel.

Additionally, the airline market-share data revealed that Qantas Airways remains the dominant player in the international travel market, holding a 17.2% share, followed closely by Jetstar at 12.4%.
 

Quotes attributable to ATIA CEO Dean Long (available for interview):

“Australian travellers are once again exploring the world with vigour, and the data reflects a strong demand for diverse international destinations. The rise in travel to Japan and Indonesia, in particular, signals a shift towards unique cultural experiences and adventure tourism. If it feels like everyone is in Japan at the moment, it’s because they are! At the same time, fewer Australians are New Zealand bound with 103,850 travellers this year compared to 206,720 in 2023, a 27% decrease.”

“The positive trends in both inbound and outbound travel are a testament to the hard work and adaptability of our industry. As we continue to navigate the post-pandemic landscape, it is clear that Australia’s travel sector is not only recovering but thriving. ATIA remains committed to supporting our members in leveraging these opportunities to ensure sustained growth.”