Australia's accessibility on the rise

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The Australian Federal Government has recently announced that Emirates Airline has been given the go ahead to boost its services between Dubai and Australia to 84 flights per week by 2011, up an additional 35 a week from today's numbers. Newcomer Etihad was given authorization for an additional 28 flights per week, also to be introduced by 2011, in addition to the seven they currently are allocated. These new flights will be destined for Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth, to be determined. This opens up routes, of course, for Australian carriers into the GCC, making the numbers indeed very big.

'Such announcements bode extremely well for the Tourism Industry in Australia, from the world and from the Gulf in particular,' said Andrew Oldfield, Tourism Australia's Dubai-based distribution development manager, GCC. 'Visitor numbers across the GCC were up 8 percent in 2006 over figures from 2005 and we expect figures to keep on rising in even higher leaps and bounds,' he predicted. 'One thing's for sure,' he stated, 'The GCC is committed to destination Australia.'

Qatar Airways is also to launch its Melbourne-bound flight imminently, probably via Bangkok, and they too have been given approval for an additional daily route to another Australian city by 2008.

Tourism Australia's Chairman, Tim Fisher, will be on the Australia stand to welcome visitors on the ATM launch day. Fischer, former Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister for Australia from 1996 to 1999, has some good news to share with visitors to the stand. 'Visas for GCC citizens now granted are valid for two years, multiple entry,' he says. Good news indeed for those families who are repeat visitors to the 'Land Down Under' every summer. Visas for most GCC citizens are also available on line, stamp free.

Fischer's take on Australia's popularity with the Gulf traveller is simple. 'Australia,' he explains, 'is looking more attractive than ever to the Gulf traveller due to the world situation, the choice and ease of travel to the continent and the general welcoming warmth of the Australian people combined with the numerous, varied and unparalleled attractions.'

According to recently released figures, inbound arrivals from the Gulf countries to Australia were up significantly from the year before. Last year, in 2006, 24,723 UAE citizens visited Australia with an average stay of 23 nights. Ten years earlier, in '96, that figure was just 5,779, proving that Gulf visitors are rapidly discovering the delights Down Under and much of what the destination has to offer just about everyone in a very safe and exciting environment. The total number of GCC visitors to Australia during 2006 was 42,731.

Said Oldfield, 'We expect figures to be even higher this year; we have many new products to introduce to the trade and it's a very exciting time for us here in the Gulf this month.'

Australian exhibitors, including Tourism Victoria, Tourism New South Wales, Gold Coast Tourism and Tourism Western Australia, will join TA, tour operators and a wide range of travel products to say 'G'Day' at ATM this year.