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Due to faster visa processing and direct connectivity, Australia is expecting about eight percent growth in Indian tourist arrivals this year, up to 2,80,000.

As per the data released by Tourism Australia, 259,900 Indian travellers visited Australia in 2016. “We are expecting 2,75,000-2,80,000 Indian travellers to visit Australia,” said Tourism Australia Country Manager, India and Gulf, Nishant Kashikar.

According to the data, during March 2017, there were 24,100 visitors from India, a three percent increase over March 2016. The Tourism Forecasting Committee (TFC) has predicted 2,58,000 visitors from India for the July 2016-June 2017 period, a 9.4% increase over 2015-16.

Kashikar stated that arrivals from India are expected to perform well with an average annual financial year growth rate of 8.7% through to the financial year 2021-22.

The findings of the target customer research and Consumer Demand Project (CDP) have unveiled the top five Aussie attractions for Indian travellers which include the Australian beaches, iconic landmarks, wildlife, food and wine and the Great Barrier Reef.

Faster visa processing under the Preferred Agency Scheme (PAS) and the pilot of three-year multiple entry visas for applicants with a sound travel history has also encouraged Indians to plan a trip to Australia, Kashikar said. Further, he said, India is the eighth largest source market for Australia in terms of expenditure as an average spending for Indian visitors was AUSD 5,316.

In terms of connectivity, there are daily direct, non-stop services on the Delhi-Sydney four times a week and Delhi-Melbourne thrice a week, besides many one-stop flights.

Sоurсе: travelnewsdigest.in