Tasmania was the only jurisdiction in the country to experience growth in international visitor spend in the year to March, according to new tourism statistics.
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The state recorded a 7 per cent increase in the amount of money international tourists pumped into its economy, raking in $523 million.
Tourism Research Australia says this could largely be attributed to one particular factor.
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"Although Tasmania had a decline in visitors, spend was up ... led by growth in VFR [visiting friends and relatives]," the TRA's report read.
The new figures highlight the contrast between the heady days of the state's tourism boom and the dearth in visitors as a result of COVID-19 and border closures.
Tasmania welcomed 254,000 international visitors in the year to March, a 15 per cent drop on the previous year.
Meanwhile, domestic visitor numbers decreased by 1 per cent, with 3.1 million Australians coming to the state. However, reflecting a trend in the other states and territories - excluding the ACT - there was a jump in visitor spend. Domestic tourists spent $2.9 billion in Tasmania, an 8 per cent increase on the year to March 2019.
Overall, Australia pocketed $78.8 billion (+6 per cent) through the domestic tourism market, and $41.5 billion (-6 per cent) through international tourists.
In terms of the country's international tourism market, 8.1 million people touched down in Australia (-6 per cent).
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