Tasmania is cementing its position as the must see destination in Australia.
Figures released by Tourism Research Australia show that, once again, the number of international visitors coming to Tasmania is growing faster than any other state or territory in Australia. In the year to June 2017, 253,200 overseas visitors came to Tasmania, a 13 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
International visitors spent a record $457 million in Tasmania, an increase of 24 per cent on the same time last year, with an average stay of 16 nights per visitor.
Growth in international visitors to Tasmania is being driven by a surge in visitors from the United States. The US is by far the biggest source of international visitors to Tasmania and the number of Americans visiting the State grew from just over 30,000 in the 12 months to June 2016 to just under 40,000 in the 12 months to June 2017.
There was also strong growth in the number of visitors from China, Malaysia, Singapore, Germany, Japan and India.
There is no doubt that Tasmania has the best tourism and hospitality industry in the country and we are committed to working with the industry to help them grow sustainably and to support jobs.
We have outlined ambitious new targets that would see an increase in the number of visitors staying overnight in our regional areas to 70 per cent, meaning more visitors to our regions and a boost to our regional economies and local jobs.