Leslie Massey
Australia is a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year. In 2019, the country welcomed approximately 8.7 million international visitors, with China being the largest source country, contributing over 1.4 million tourists. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted Australia's tourism industry, with a sharp decline in international visitors in 2020 and 2021 due to border closures and travel restrictions. However, the country has seen a gradual increase in tourism since then, with over 6.11 million visitors in 2023 and a rebound in tourism spending. Australia offers diverse attractions, from vibrant cities like Sydney and Melbourne to natural wonders such as the Great Barrier Reef, making it a sought-after destination for travellers worldwide.
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What You'll Learn
- In 2023, over 6.11 million visitors travelled to Australia
- In 2024, Australia welcomed approximately 126.79 million visitors
- In 2019, 8.7 million international visitors arrived in Australia
- In 2020, Australia saw a significant drop to 74.22 million visitors
- In 2022, tourism spending rebounded to $121.02 billion
In 2023, over 6.11 million visitors travelled to Australia
Australia is a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year with its diverse landscapes, unique wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. In 2023, over 6.11 million visitors travelled to Australia, indicating a gradual increase in tourism following the COVID-19 pandemic. This number is still 14% lower than the record set in 2019, when over 8.6 million people travelled to Australia.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted Australia's tourism industry, with international visitors dropping to 6.2 million in 2020 and only 140,000 in 2021. Australia closed its borders to non-residents in March 2020, and the number of international travellers hit an all-time low from August 2020 to September 2021, with just 155,579 international travellers during that period. The country began to reopen its borders in November 2021, and travel restrictions were completely lifted by July 2022.
In 2023, the top five visitor markets to Australia were New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, and Singapore. New Zealand visitors accounted for 978,000 of the total, while China, previously one of the top sources of tourists, saw a decline with only 235,000 visits during the same period. International visitors spent over $34 billion in Australia in 2023 (year ending June 2023), a significant contribution to the country's economy.
Australia offers a range of attractions for tourists, including large cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide, as well as natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, and the Tasmanian wilderness. Sydney, with its famous landmarks and events like the 2000 Sydney Olympics, is a particularly popular destination, attracting both domestic and international visitors. Cultural tourism is also significant, especially in urban areas, with many towns offering heritage tourism experiences.
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In 2024, Australia welcomed approximately 126.79 million visitors
Australia is a highly sought-after travel destination, ranking 5th globally in the World Economic Forum's 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index. The country boasts diverse landscapes, unique wildlife, and a rich cultural heritage, attracting millions of visitors each year.
The top international markets for Australia in 2024 were New Zealand, India, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and the United States. Visitors from these countries contributed significantly to the Australian economy, with total spending reaching $159.17 billion. This amount exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 26%, showcasing the resilience and growth of Australia's tourism sector.
New South Wales and Victoria were the most popular states among international visitors, with New South Wales alone accounting for over a third of all international visitor nights spent in Australia. The most common reasons for travelling to Australia included holidays, visiting friends and family, business, and employment opportunities.
Sydney and Melbourne, renowned for their vibrant urban culture and coastal attractions, were among the most popular destinations. Other sought-after locations included Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, and, of course, the iconic Great Barrier Reef. Australia's unique natural wonders, such as Uluru and the Tasmanian wilderness, also captivated travellers seeking extraordinary experiences.
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In 2019, 8.7 million international visitors arrived in Australia
Australia is a popular tourist destination, with millions of visitors travelling to the country each year. In 2019, the country welcomed 8.7 million international visitors, marking a record high. This number included both short-term visitors and those who stayed for longer periods.
The continuous upward trend in international visitors to Australia between 2010 and 2019 was interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The implementation of a coronavirus-related travel ban and international border closures significantly impacted the number of arrivals, resulting in a sharp decline in visitors during that year. Australia's international visitor numbers for the year ending September 2019 were over 8.6 million, while the calendar year up to December 2019 recorded 8.7 million international visitors.
In the second half of 2020 (July-December), Australia received over 32,740 international visitors, a significant drop compared to the same period in 2019, when the country welcomed about 4.9 million international visitors. The pandemic caused a decrease in tourism arrivals, with total arrivals dropping to 74.22 million visitors in 2020, including 1.71 million international visitors.
Prior to the pandemic, Australia's tourism sector was thriving. In 2019, total visitor spending reached $126.07 billion, with international visitors contributing $45.38 billion. Sydney, with its coastal attractions and vibrant city life, was the most popular destination for international and domestic visitors, hosting over 16 million visitors. Cultural tourism is also significant in Australia, with many tourists engaging in heritage tourism in urban areas like Sydney and Melbourne. The Sydney Olympics in 2000, for example, attracted 362,000 domestic and 110,000 international visitors, showcasing the appeal of such events in boosting tourism.
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In 2020, Australia saw a significant drop to 74.22 million visitors
Australia has consistently attracted travellers from all over the world with its diverse landscapes, unique wildlife, and rich cultural heritage. From large cities like Sydney and Melbourne to natural wonders like the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru, Australia has always been a popular tourist destination.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the number of visitors to Australia. In March 2020, Australia closed its international borders to all non-residents, resulting in a sharp decline in international travellers. From August 2020 to September 2021, Australia experienced an all-time low in visitor arrivals, with only 155,579 international travellers during that period. The pandemic disrupted the continuous upward trend in international visitors, causing a drop to 6.2 million visitors in the 2020 financial year, a significant decrease from the 8.6 million visitors in 2019.
The coronavirus-related travel ban, especially on non-citizens travelling from or through China, further exacerbated the situation. February is typically the peak period for Chinese visitors, and the ban resulted in a 99.3% decrease in international visitors during the second half of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The total number of arrivals in Australia in 2020 plummeted to 74.22 million visitors, including 1.71 million international visitors and 72.51 million domestic travellers.
The gradual reopening of Australia's borders starting in November 2021 and the complete lifting of travel restrictions in July 2022 brought some recovery. Visitor numbers gradually increased, exceeding seven million international visitors in 2024. Australia's tourism sector demonstrated its resilience, contributing significantly to the country's economy and ranking 5th globally in the World Economic Forum's Travel and Tourism Development Index in 2024.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Australia remains a sought-after travel destination, with its diverse attractions and cultural offerings. The country's tourism industry continues to grow and thrive, welcoming travellers eager to explore its natural wonders and vibrant cities.
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In 2022, tourism spending rebounded to $121.02 billion
Australia is a popular tourist destination, with its diverse landscapes, unique wildlife, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant cities. Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth are among the most visited cities, with the Great Barrier Reef and Uluru also attracting many visitors.
The country's tourism industry took a significant hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, Australia implemented a coronavirus-related travel ban, particularly affecting travellers from China, which had been the largest source of tourists before the pandemic. This resulted in a drastic decrease in international visitors, with only 155,579 international travellers in 2020–2021.
However, by 2022, tourism spending rebounded to $121.02 billion, demonstrating a strong recovery. This included $19.76 billion spent by international visitors and $101.26 billion spent by domestic visitors, accounting for about 96% of the 2019 pre-pandemic level. The gradual reopening of borders, which began in November 2021, played a crucial role in this rebound, with a complete lifting of travel restrictions in July 2022.
The increase in tourism spending in 2022 was a welcome boost to Australia's economy. Tourism is an essential industry for the country, contributing significantly to its GDP and export earnings. In 2018–2019, tourism employed 666,000 people, representing 1 in 21 jobs across the workforce, with a large proportion of these jobs being full-time and held by women.
The rebound in tourism spending in 2022 is a positive sign for the industry's recovery, and Australia remains a highly sought-after travel destination, with its diverse attractions and natural wonders.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia welcomed approximately 126.79 million visitors in 2024, including both domestic and international travellers.
In the year ending September 2023, there were 6.1 million international visitors to Australia.
Visitors spent a total of $159.17 billion in Australia in 2024, setting a new record and representing a 26% increase from 2019.
New Zealand consistently ranks as one of the top source countries for visitors to Australia. In 2023, New Zealand was the number one source country, with approximately 978,000 visitors.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted tourism in Australia, with international border restrictions resulting in a 99.3% decrease in international visitors from 2019 to 2020. Visitor numbers gradually recovered following the easing of restrictions in November 2021.
