By June Ramli
Sydney, Aug 7: Australia has seen a significant increase in visitors from Japan and South Korea, with over 350,000 travellers from Japan and more than 340,000 from South Korea in the 12 months to May 2024, according to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
This marks a recovery of about 71 per cent for Japanese inbound travel compared to 2019 levels, while South Korean arrivals have surged to 123 per cent of pre-pandemic numbers.
Tourism Australia’s Regional General Manager for Japan and Korea, Derek Baines, attributes this surge to several factors, including increased aviation capacity.
“Capacity between Australia and South Korea is at 186 per cent of 2019 levels and Japan is at 149 per cent,” Baines noted.
The rise in flight availability has significantly supported the return of more travellers to Australia from these countries.
Baines explained that the vast majority of these visitors are genuine tourists.
“The overwhelming majority of visitors from Japan and South Korea to Australia are visiting for the purpose of a holiday, and there are some who are visiting friends and relatives,” he said.
Spending patterns highlight the economic impact of these tourists.
According to Tourism Research Australia’s International Visitor Survey, in the 12 months to March 2024, South Korean holidaymakers spent $1.17 billion in Australia, while those visiting friends and family spent $160 million.
Japanese tourists spent $870 million on holidays and $170 million visiting friends and relatives.
Tourism Australia is optimistic about the future, with Baines stating, “We know demand for an Australian holiday remains strong, and we hope to welcome many more travellers from South Korea and Japan in the coming months and years.”
Language services are a key focus for Tourism Australia to cater to these visitors.
“Information being available in a traveller’s native language is important in the planning stage and for the experience for travellers once they are on the ground,” Baines said.
Besides language, other challenges faced by Korean and Japanese tourists in Australia are minimal, as Australia is known for being a warm and welcoming destination.
“South Korean and Japanese travellers who visit Australia overwhelmingly have a positive experience. In fact, we often see repeat visitation from travellers from the markets. Forty-four per cent of travellers visiting from Japan are repeat visitors, while 34 per cent from South Korea have already been to Australia at least once before,” Baines added.
Tourists from these countries tend to disperse across various Australian states.
Popular destinations for Japanese travellers include Sydney, Cairns, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Melbourne, and Perth.
Meanwhile, South Korean tourists favor Sydney, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, and Melbourne.
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