CANBERRA, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- Australians are spending more money on domestic travel than ever before, according to Tourism Minister Steve Ciobo on Wednesday, who said Aussies splashed a record 62.6 billion Australian dollars (50.13 billion U.S. dollars) locally in 2016-17.
In a media release accompanying the National Visitor Survey, which was released on Wednesday, Ciobo said that while a boom in overseas tourist numbers, especially those from China, had stolen the headlines in recent times, there was strong growth in the domestic tourism market as well.
"Australian tourists spent a record 62.6 billion Australian dollars holidaying at home for the year ending June 2017, up 7 percent on the previous year," Ciobo said.
"Overnight trips by Australians have increased to a record 93.7 million, up 5 percent, while nights reached a record 338 million, up 4 percent."
"The record spending by Australian tourists is being driven by more people holidaying at home in Australia."
He said Tasmania and the Northern Territory experienced the biggest growth in tourist numbers over the past three years, with visitor numbers having increased by 28 and 31 percent respectively, but added that all states and territories experienced growth.
Ciobo added that record domestic spending complimented the record expenditure figures from overseas tourists in 2016-17.
"It comes two weeks after the International Visitor Survey (IVS) showed international tourists spend a record 40.6 billion Australian dollars over the same period," Ciobo said.
"Combined total spending by overnight tourists has reached a new record of 103.2 billion Australian dollars."
The minister said that tourism continues to be a major proponent of Australia's growing economy, declaring there was "something for everyone" in Australia.
"Tourism is driving our economy. It is creating and supporting jobs right across the country," Ciobo said.
"Whether it's enjoying the great outdoors or dining in one of our award-winning restaurants, there is something for everyone with Australia's diverse range of attractions and experiences." (1 Australian dollar = 0.81 U.S. dollar)
