The table illustrates data on the number of Australian citizens the seven most popular destinations — New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the USA, Indonesia, Fiji, Japan, and China — from 1999 to 2009.
Overall, the number of Australian citizens who visited these destinations increased in all regions, albeit to varying degrees, over the given period. Notably, China experienced the most pronounced growth over the given period, while New Zealand remained the most popular destination for Australian people at both points in time.
In 1999, the number of Australian travelling to New Zealand increased sharply from 500,700 in the initial year to reach the one-million threshold in 2009, thereby maintaining its position as the leading destination, with an overall increase of 113%.
The United Kingdom attracted 400,000 Australian tourists in 1999, and then experienced a notable rise to 640,000, representing a growth rate of 60%, finishing the period as the second most famous destination among Australian tourists. The USA, by contrasts, began at 300,000 people, after which this figure grew gradually to approximately 400,000 by the end of the period, marking a modest 30% rise, the smallest change among all destinations. The number of Australian visiting Indonesia and Fiji also recorded marked growth, increasing from 150,000 and 120,000 in 1999 to 340,000 and 257,000 by 2009, equivalent to jumps of 127% and 114%.
The remaining countries exhibited a substantial increase, Japan’s figure rose from 100,000 in 1999 to 250,000 by 2009, while China’s total climbed dramatically, starting at just 86,000 visitors and soaring to 300,000 by the end of the period — an impressive 249% surge that saw it overtake both Fiji and Japan by 2009.