Tourism Research Australia’s latest International Visitors Survey has reported an increase in backpacker numbers to Australia, a longer length of stay and larger average spend in 2009 compared to 2008.
For the year ending December 31 2009, 570,000 backpackers visited Australia which was an increase of 11,000 year on year. New South Wales was the most visited with 78 per cent of backpackers though Queensland retained its lead for bed nights with 32 per cent share. New South Wales edged closer to its east coast rival however, increasing its bed nights year on year by 1,683, a 31 per cent share.
(Source: http://bit.ly/zECTxx)