PA/06/14 5 February 2014
INDIAN NATIONALS CONTINUE TO FLOCK TO AUSTRALIA
Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Patrick Suckling, has welcomed new figures showing another increase in the number of Indian visitors to Australia.
There were 16,300 visitors from India during November 2013, a rise of more than 18 per cent over same month in 2012.
A total of 173 500 people from India visited Australia in the first 11 months of 2013 – up more than 13 per cent from the same period last year.
India is now Australia’s 10th largest market for visitors.
“It’s wonderful that an ever increasing number of Indians are being drawn to Australia’s diverse and cosmopolitan cities, as well as our stunning natural landscapes,” Mr Suckling said.
“I’m confident Australia will continue to receive more and more visitors from this country, which will continue to benefit our bilateral relationship.”
Just over 40 per cent of the total number of visitors to Australia came to visit friends and relatives.
“The flow of people between India and Australia is increasing in volume, and this is deepening and strengthening the bonds between our two countries,” Mr Suckling said.
Mr Suckling said Air India’s new direct flights to Australia - as well as a renewed marketing campaign by Tourism Australia which draws attention to the country’s stunning attractions – no doubt contributed to the strong increase in numbers.
For more information please contact:
Stephen Dziedzic, Australian High Commission, New Delhi - [email protected]