AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Immigration Australia: Minister of Tourism opens Tourism office in India

Friday, 7 November 2008

The Minister of Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, has opened the first Tourism Australia office in India. This shows the strong ties that India, as an emerging market, has to Australia’s tourism industry.

The importance of India to Australian tourism can be demonstrated by the fact that India is one of Australia's fastest growing markets, providing a fantastic opportunity for new investment.

Minister Ferguson said that "India is already Australia's 12th largest market in terms of visitor numbers and 10th largest in terms of Total Inbound Economic Value.

"Tourism Australia expects 114,000 visitors from India will travel to Australia during 2008 – an annual increase of 20 per cent".

The expected forecast by 2017 is that India will rise to become Australia's 5th largest tourism market. Minister Ferguson acknowledges that India is increasingly becoming a major player in the global economy, and with the new office opened the agency now has 14 international offices located in 22 countries.

Mr Ferguson said: "The office I am opening today will act as an important point of contact for the Indian travel trade interested in increasing their Australian business. It will also provide information on Australia’s leisure and business tourism product to potential customers".

"Surveys suggest Indians recognize Australia as a safe and family-friendly destination which offers diverse experiences. Tourism Australia's new office will play a crucial role in further increasing awareness of our country among Indian travellers."

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