Tourism continues to bolster Australia?s economy and with the right support can deliver even greater benefits in the future, according to the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF).
The Australian Bureau of Statistics? overseas arrivals and departures figures for the month of May revealed international arrivals increased 4.9 percent year-on-year.
China proved to be the most robust country in terms of arrivals, with 29.3 percent growth month-on-month compared to 2012.
Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia rounded out the top five international performers.
?These May figures reveal double-digit growth out of a number of our key emerging markets in Asia,? TTF chief executive Ken Morrison.
TTF?s National Tourism Business Count & Employment Atlas?revealed that Australia?s tourism industry employs twice as many people as the mining sector.
?Tourism will continue to provide jobs and business opportunities for Australia as the economy transitions from its dependence on resources,? Mr Morrison said.
?The industry is looking for government support to grow travel demand, boost investment, enhance the visitor experience, improve competiveness and expand the tourism the workforce.?