ATC Targets 13.7% Increase In Tourism Arrivals By December 2004

Charmaine Fernz - Mumbai

Australia has every reason to be euphoric; the return of Qantas with a direct Mumbai-Sydney-Mumbai flight come September is, according to ATC ‘indisputably a blessing in disguise’. Maggie White, general manager - South and South East Asia, Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) was recently down in Mumbai to discuss their strategies for the coming year. "India has always been an interesting market especially since we have our Aussie Specialist Programme (ASP) going strong. With a focussed approach and an optimistic note, our target for December 2004 is a 13.7 per cent increase in tourist amounting to 50,400 tourist. In that regard, there have been numerous tourism developments on the Australian front. We are happy to report that despite all adversities in 2003, with SARS et al, we achieved a one percent increase in tourist arrivals amounting to 45,600 visitors. Our ASP is also moving from strength to strength - the current numbers are 52 agencies and 168 agents. It is encouraging to know that the ASP agents grow by the week. In that regard, we will be taking on new agents in March, but our selection criteria will be more stringent as the criteria's are currently being worked upon."

With a well-planned and focused strategy set in place, White elucidated on the coming year, " We would be introducing preferential package schemes for the Aussie Specialist agents. Building upon existent destinations in Australia would also be our focus this year."