New data released today by Federal Minister for Sport and Tourism, Jackie Kelly, revealed that more than 700,000 of all international visitors used the Internet to get information about Australia.
Internet usage was higher in technologically advanced countries, with the United States, Japan, United Kingdom and Singapore topping the list. Visitors from Taiwan, Canada and Germany had above average Internet usage. The report ‘Tourism and the New Economy’ found that Internet users were primarily in the 25 to 29 age group and most likely to be travelling to Australia for a holiday.
“This report confirms that Internet users are an important and increasing sector of the tourism market,” Minister Kelly said. “Internet users were high spenders, they spent, on average, $2614 compared with $2152 for all other visitors and they stayed, on average, for 30 nights, compared with 26 nights for all other international travellers. “As the information highway spreads across the world, the number of tourists wanting immediate information and a personalised itinerary from the Internet will only increase. To take advantage of this phenomenon the Government recently launched tourismdotcom - which will help build our on- line tourism sector “It is now vital that tourism businesses develop their tourism market by using available technology as the world economy moves into the ‘dot-com’ era.
“The Internet offers businesses in regional Australia the same level playing-field and exposure as the world’s largest capital cities.” The report is available from the Bureau of Tourism Research by phoning (02) 6213 6967. The report also contains articles about Profile of the Heritage Tourism Market, Snapshot: Thai Visitors to Australia and Spreading the Money Around - Spending Patterns of Domestic Overnight visitors. Media inquiries: Sam Spurrett Technical inquiries: Peter Robins.
——-