2002 - 2003 Annual Report - Tourism Australia

OUTCOMES
• There were 4,655,800 visitors to Australia in 2002/03, a decrease of two per cent.The Tourism Forecasting
Council (TFC) forecasts were revised downwards over the year due to the global downturn in long-haul travel.
In April 2002, the TFC forecast 5.4 million visitors during 2003, then twice revised the forecast down to
5.0 million in December 2002 and to 4.6 million in May 2003.
• 2002/03 market share information is not yet available.
• According to preliminary data collected by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), international tourist arrivals
increased by three per cent in 2002. Growth was generated predominantly in short-haul travel, with long-haul
travel severely affected by a difficult operating environment in the air transport industry. WTO data for
2002/03 is not yet available.
• The average and total trip expenditure in Australia increased by two per cent in nominal terms for the year
ended 31 March 2003. Data for 2002/03 is not yet available.
• A total of 117.8 million visitor nights were spent in Australia during the year ended 31 March 2003. Data to the
end of June 2003 is not yet available. In April 2002, the TFC forecast 130.3 million visitor nights during 2003 and
then twice revised the forecast down to 116.2 million in December 2002 and to 114.2 million in May 2003.
• Real growth in direct tourism export earnings of two per cent was achieved in 2002. Data for 2002/03 is not
yet available. In April 2002, the TFC forecast six per cent growth in 2002/03, then revised the forecast down to
one per cent growth in December 2002.
• In the year ended 31 March 2003, 20 per cent of visitor nights were spent outside the major destinations:
Sydney, ACT, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast,Tropical North Queensland, Adelaide and Perth, down slightly
from 21 per cent in the previous year. Data for 2002/03 is not yet available.
• The tourism industry directly employed 549,000 people in 2001/02, a marginal decrease on 2000/01.
Employment figures for 2002/03 are not yet available.
• The ATC participated in the Sustainable Tourism Roundtable established in 2001/02 with the Department
of Industry,Tourism and Resources (DITR).
• The ATC has participated in discussions with Environment Australia (incorporating the Australian Heritage
Commission); DITR; the Indigenous Tourism Leaders Group; the Bureau of Tourism Research; Cooperative
Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism; Ecotourism Australia and Green Globe 21.The Commission also
joined the National Tourism and Heritage Taskforce of the Environment Protection and Heritage Council.
• Information on the ATC’s position on sustainable tourism, with links to agencies and resources was added
to the ATC’s industry website, ATC Online.
• The ATC worked with Ecotourism Australia to profile accredited ecotourism product at ATE.
• A review of the ATC’s environmental management systems and practices was completed in June 2003.
• Consumer information on responsible tourism was added to the ATC’s consumer website, australia.com.
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