Australia is expected to receive a boost in big spending tourist numbers from the Gulf Countries as a result of new increased services by Qatar Airways.
The airline has received Australian Government approval to commence a daily service to Melbourne and introduce a second daily service to another Australian city from 2008.
Minister for Small Business and Tourism, Fran Bailey, predicts the move will deliver a major boost to tourism. "The Gulf Countries offers enormous growth potential for tourists to Australia," Bailey said.
"Tourists from the Gulf Countries are big spenders who visit Australia in non-traditional holiday periods. They spend up big in our shops and restaurants, creating plenty of jobs for Australians."
On average, tourists from the Gulf Countries spent $2,362 each and stayed for 41 days. Total spending in Australian made by these visitors is $110m, up 27%. In 2006, 46,700 tourists from the Gulf Countries visited Australia, an increase of 8.8%.
Bailey said this was a “fantastic result” for Melbourne following the withdrawal of Austrian Airlines and British Airways. "Having another dedicated service from the Gulf Countries flying daily into Melbourne is great news for tourism to Victoria," Bailey said.
"The challenge for our tourism industry will be to encourage these tourists to visit throughout regional Victoria."
Bailey reiterated the importance of encouraging greater aviation capacity to Australia. "The equation is pretty simple. If we can boost aviation capacity to Australia, we can attract more tourists. In turn, these tourists create jobs for Australians," she said.
The Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) said the move would be a “shot in the arm” for Victoria’s tourism industry.
“This decision is a strong step towards a more liberalised Australian aviation sector, and will underpin Victoria’s efforts to attract tourists, business travellers and corporate head offices”, said VTIC Chairman, Jeremy Johnson.
“Extra seat capacity has been the number one issue on VTIC’s lobbying agenda this year as extra seats will drive tourism growth. Travellers want direct, same plane international services—for example, a domestic flight from Melbourne to an international Sydney transfer adds four hours each way to a journey when check-in, flight time and Sydney terminal transfer is included.
“Foreign airlines are important to Melbourne because, they have largely delivered Melbourne’s international airline seat growth since 2000.
“VTIC understands that other foreign airlines including Emirates want to fly to Melbourne, either as newcomers or as providers of extra flights, and we encourage the Federal Government to negotiate similar mutually beneficial air service agreements with their country of domicile.”
