Chinese visitors drive record tourism spending in Australia

CANBERRA - Chinese tourists accounted for almost a quarter of all spending in Australia by overseas visitors in 2016/17, according to Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steve Ciobo.

On Wednesday, Ciobo released details of the 2017 International Visitor Survey, which said international tourists spent a record A$40.6 billion ($34.5 billion) in Australia last financial year.

The minister said the "stellar result" came on the back of record spending by Chinese tourists, who kicked in almost a quarter of the overall spend.

"International visitors spent a record A$40.6 billion in the year to June 2017, an increase of 7 percent on the previous year," Ciobo said.

"Chinese tourists continue to have the biggest impact on our economy with 1.2 million visitors spending A$9.8 billion ($7.85 billion). Both are increases of 10 percent. This growth comes during the China-Australia Year of Tourism."

Ciobo added that a weaker Australian dollar had also contributed in a record rise in expenditure from tourists from the United States.

"Along with the Chinese, Americans are also visiting Australia in record numbers. Australia welcomed a record 706,000 tourists from the United States, a 14-percent increase, and they spent A$3.8 billion ($3.05 billion), an increase of 4 percent," the minister said.