Unofficially at least, the country goes back to work this week after the extended silly season between Christmas and Australia Day.
That may seem a longish break. But for the economy, the fact so many of us have taken a domestic trip away in the last five or six weeks for a stay at the beach, the bush, or wherever, highlights an industrial bright spot: tourism.
Tourism campaign uncovers hidden gems
A $90 million Queensland tourism campaign uses locals to promote unique experiences to visitors from interstate and overseas. Nine News
It gets little press compared with the swinging fortunes of the mining industry, but tourism is having its own boom, the size of which may surprise you.
How’s this for a changing of the guard: Australia now makes more money selling tourism services to foreigners than it makes from exporting coal
Annualised tourism exports of $47 billion, based on September quarter figures, were greater than those two stalwarts, rural exports at $42 billion and coal at $41 billion.
Iron ore is still our biggest export, and coal may yet make a comeback, but you get the picture.
Article courtesy of The Age 31 January 2017
