Australia welcomed 95,200 Indian visitors in 2007

Mumbai, Mar 10 (UNI) Australia saw 95,200 Indian visitors in the year 2007, showing an increase of 14 per cent over 2006.

India continues to be one of the top 15 largest inbound markets for arrivals in Australia, with a forecasted average growth of 17 per cent.Tourism Forecasting Council (Australia) indicates 113,000 visitors from India in the year ending 2008, a release said.

Commenting on the occasion, General Manager of Tourism Australia for South East Asia and Gulf Countries Maggie White said, ''India is one of our most important market with great potential to grow. We will continue to focus our efforts in India on increasing awareness of Australia as a destination and the myriad of experiences that we have to offer to Indian consumers.'' Of the total arrivals of visitors from India in 2007, a significant growth was noted in holiday traffic (23,822), visiting friends and relatives (20,914), business (24,922), education (10,333), employment (7,269) and others (7,951), the release said.

In 2007, the total spend by Indian visitors to Australia was approximately AUD 500 million. The average expenditure for Indian visitors for the year was AUD 5,300, which included prepaid international airfares and accommodation. This makes India as one of the top 15 largest source markets in terms of spend, the release added.

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