This week Tourism Victoria released its 2012–13 Tourism Satellite Accounts (TSA), which measures the direct and indirect impacts of tourism on the local economy.

All visitors to Melbourne contributed a total of $13.8 billion in direct visitor consumption to the Melbourne economy during the 2012–13 financial year.

In total Gross Regional Product (GRP), tourism has contributed $8.5 billion – an increase of 4.5 per cent from 2011–12 to 2012–13. 

In Melbourne the visitor industry employed almost 94,000 people (4.6 per cent of employment) during this period, an estimated increase of 2.2 per cent on the previous financial year. 

“The visitor economy is a key contributor to Melbourne's economic wellbeing, where businesses large and small benefit from visitor spending, whether it's for leisure, business or visiting friends and relatives,” said Laura Cavallo, Chief Executive, Destination Melbourne. 

“This Satellite Account confirms the visitor economy is one to watch, as it increases year on year, becoming one of Australia's five super growth sectors. Already 2015 has started positively, with Melbourne Airport breaking its record number of international passenger numbers for the month of January,” concluded Ms Cavallo.

During the 2012–13 year international overnight visitors were the highest contributors to Melbourne's economy spending $5.8 billion, while interstate overnight visitors contributed $4.5 billion and intrastate overnight visitors contributed $1.3 billion. Daytrippers also contributed a significant $2.1 billion throughout the year.

Since 2006–7, the total tourism GRP in Melbourne has increased at an average rate of 5.6 per cent, while the average rate for total tourism employment over the same period has increased by 3.8 per cent annually. 

International visitors may have clocked up the most nights during the year at 41.5 million, but interstate overnight visitors spent the most with an average of $277 a night.

For more statistics and information, you can view the Melbourne Tourism Satellite Account fact sheet here: www.tourism.vic.gov.au/research/economic-significance.html  

Media Contact:
Carrie Hutchinson / carrie@destinationmelbourne.com.au / (03) 9869 2444