Britain as popular as ever for Australians
04 September 2008
New figures confirm the United Kingdom is strengthening its position as a destination for Australians.
957,000 Australians visited the UK in 2007, even more than in 2006.
“With just under a million Australian visitors a year, the UK is very much seen as a destination to come to, to get out into the countryside, to explore, visit friends and family, and to enjoy the heritage and culture,” said Judy Watkins of VisitBritain in Sydney.
On average, Australian visitors spend just under two weeks each in the UK.
The British High Commissioner to Australia, Helen Liddell, welcomed the figures.
“The fact that, every year, one-in-twenty Australians choose Britain is testament to a remarkable relationship. There are few countries in the world that are so far apart geographically yet so close in terms of friendship and appeal.
“The United Kingdom offers an attractive mix of vibrant heritage and eclectic culture. This year, for instance, the City of Liverpool is the 2008 European Capital of Culture while thousands of Australians are about to join in the Scotland Homecoming celebrations in 2009.
“957,000 Australian visitors is an excellent number and there’s room for even more,” the High Commissioner said.
Source: UK in AUSTRALIA Foreign & Commonwealth Office
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