International tourists spent $30.9 billion in Australia in the year to March 2024, slightly above pre-pandemic spending levels, according to data from Tourism Research Australia.
The background: South Australia recorded the greatest improvement, with spending at 120 per cent of pre-COVID levels, followed by Western Australia (111 per cent), NSW (105 per cent) and Queensland (102 per cent).
Trips to Australia were up to 84 per cent of 2019 levels, average spend per trip increased by 25 per cent, and nights away exceeded pre-pandemic levels, with an average stay of 37 nights.
The key quote: Acting Western Australian tourism minister John Carey said the state was tracking ahead of target growth in visitor spending at $17.9 billion across international and domestic tourists.
"These outstanding results show WA's global reputation as a destination with incredible tourism and hospitality experiences is attracting travellers from around the world," he said.
What else to know: NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT had more visitors spending more money compared to the last quarter of 2023 but had not caught up to pre-pandemic levels.
