By 2034, WTTC predicts international visitor spending will reach almost $52.5BN and domestic spending to almost $180BN
The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) forecasts Travel & Tourism will contribute more to Australia’s economy in 2024 than any previous year on record. The sector is forecast to contribute $337.4BN this year, 10.7% of Oceania’s total. Jobs are expected to grow by 10% and reach 2.33MN across the region, equivalent to nearly one in nine jobs.
Domestic visitor spending is anticipated to reach almost $180BN, an uplift of almost 31% since 2019, whilst international visitor spending is projected to recover to $65.7BN and be within touching distance of the 2019 peak.
After bouncing back to pre-pandemic levels in 2023, the sector is poised to surpass its previous peak with a projected economic contribution of $265.5BN, representing 10% of the Australian economy.
The host of the global tourism body’s 24th Global Summit, to be held in Perth, Western Australia in October, the sector is expected to maintain robust growth over the next decade, aligning with the global economy’s growth rate, and is projected to exceed $345BN by 2034.
In 2023, jobs in Australia’s Travel & Tourism sector surged by nearly 10% from the previous year, hitting 1.42MN, representing a tenth of the national workforce. The latest research predicts a full recovery of jobs lost during the pandemic this year, with job levels surpassing the 2018 peak by 2026. Over the next decade, the sector is expected to support over 2MN jobs, representing 12% of all Australian employment.
“The Summit will highlight Australia’s dynamic growth, reflecting Travel & Tourism’s broader economic recovery and rising employment trends,” Simpson added.
Last year, domestic visitors set a new record for total spending in Australia, hitting $146BN – a new high since 2018. This upward trend is set to continue, with forecasts predicting spending will reach nearly $148BN in 2024 and soar to almost $180BN in 2034.
Despite reopening its border later than many other major destinations around the world, in 2023, spending by overseas visitors surged by nearly 195%, ranking Australia 10th globally for growth in international visitor spending.
The spending reached $31.6BN last year, with forecasts suggesting it will near $35BN this year and set a new record in 2025.
By 2034, WTTC predicts international visitor spending will reach almost $52.5BN. As Australia’s Travel & Tourism sector prepares to break records and redefine benchmarks, the WTTC 2024 EIR underscores a future filled with promise and prosperity. Although international visitor spending is still expected to be down on 2019, by the end of this year, this is a pivotal moment, as we witness Australia solidify its position as a global leader in tourism growth and economic resilience.
Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said; “Australia is set to break tourism records. WTTC will throw a spotlight on the value of Travel & Tourism to the Australian economy when we celebrate the WTTC Global Summit in Perth, Western Australia.
