Despite the rally of the Australian Dollar over the second half of 2010, there is good news for the tourism industry with inbound and outbound tourism unaffected and intentions to travel to and from Australia maintaining similar levels to 2010.
The MasterCard Worldwide Index of Consumer Purchasing Priorities, which surveyed 6,481consumers from 14 markets across the Asia/Pacific region from 13 September to 11 November 2010, provides welcome news for the Australian tourism industry.
19% of respondents in the Asia/Pacific region said they would consider Australia as a travel destination within the next six months. This has remained stable (20% in 2010) and can be compared favourably to other destinations around the globe such as the US (16%), UK (9%) and Europe (28%).
The research may ease the concerns of many in the travel industry, worried over the impact of the rising Dollar on tourism numbers. In October 2010 The Tourism and Transport Forum MasterCard Tourism Industry Sentiment Survey found the strong Australian Dollar was nominated by tourism operators as the key challenge facing the domestic travel market.
MasterCard Australia Country Manager, Andrew Cartwright said “Consumers have not seen the Australian Dollar this high since the currency floated in December 1983. The Australian tourism industry should take heart that despite this increase overseas holidaymakers are still looking to Australia as a destination in 2011.”