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Tourism
swells to tune of $5bn, by Angela Saurine - 17th
March 2008
(Credit:
The Daily Telegraph)
While the rising cost of living
hasn't escaped residents, cashed-up overseas tourists
are spending up big in Sydney.
Foreign
holidaymakers spent $4.8 billion in Sydney last
year, up 10 per cent on 2006, according to the
latest International Visitor Survey.
The
city also received more than half of all overseas
tourists coming to Australia, with 2.7 million
visitors.
Overall
Sydney hosted 48.6 million nights - almost a third
of all nights international guests spent in Australia.
Most
visitors came from the UK, followed by New Zealand,
the US, China and Japan.
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The
Tourism Australia survey revealed the 19.6 million
holiday nights spent in NSW was an increase of
7 per cent compared to the previous year - larger
than the national increase of 4.8 per cent.
While
a separate report released last week showed domestic
tourism to Sydney was down, the city is still
the most visited destination in the country for
overnight domestic visitors, bringing $3.4 million
to the local economy last year.
Tourism
Minister Matt Brown said Sydney's mix of beauty,
sophistication and relaxed vibe made it attractive
to outsiders.
"Sydney
is a global city in the eyes of the world - it
is sophisticated with an edge," he said.
"It is the gateway to Australia."
Mr
Brown said Tourism NSW's marketing push focused
on the city's world-class dining, arts and cultural
scene and international style.
He
said surf tourism was one of the Sydney's fastest-growing
attractions, fuelled by the popularity of surf
schools.
"Surfing
helps them connect with the people and feel like
a local," he said.
Bondi
Beach-based Let's Go Surfing school's general
manager Craig Wachholz said there had been a steady
increase in surf tourism in the past couple of
years.
"I
think it's a misconception that backpackers don't
have a lot of money to spend - they don't have
the disposable income of a CEO but they have come
a long way and saved and planned to enjoy themselves,"
Mr Wachholz said.
"Visitors
from the UK and Europe get a lot more bang for
their buck because of the exchange rate. Families
are an increasing market.
"We
also did some lessons today for a group of Americans
who are here for a conference and they put some
time aside to do some surfing.
"If
Australians go to England they fly into London,
if they come to Australia they fly into Sydney
and Bondi's on top of their list - it's one of
the most recognised beaches in the world."
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