Tourism Australia Roadshow Underlines High Level of Visitor Exchanges

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer, welcomed the visit by Tourism Australia, together with top Australian tourism providers, to Jakarta and Surabaya from 16 to 19 April in a Product Update Roadshow.

Visitor numbers are at record levels with Indonesian visitors to Australia reaching an all time high in 2009, growing by 15 percent from the previous year, to 108 750 visitors.

Australian visitor numbers to Indonesia are also strong with the Australian Bureau of Statistics recording 548 500 Australians departing Australia for Indonesia in 2009.

“The increasing numbers of visitors between Australia and Indonesia are evidence of the strong people-to-people connections and will no doubt have an important role in increasing knowledge and interest between our two countries,” Mr Farmer said.

The increase in Indonesian visitors to Australia has been attributed to a range of factors, including the positive growth of the Indonesian economy and the good relations between Australia and Indonesia, with the number expected to grow significantly in 2010.

As a close neighbour, Australia provides a different and diverse cultural experience, making it an interesting and attractive destination to visit.

The Product Update roadshow provided Indonesian travel agencies with new product experiences and destinations relevant to the Indonesian market, with Indonesian travel agents reporting increasing interest from consumers as well as corporate companies for holidays and incentive travel in the months ahead.

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Jenny Dee, Counsellor (Public Affairs) tel. (021) 2550 5290 mob. 0811 187 3175