'Victoria eyes 10-15 per cent growth in footfalls from India in 2018'

"We continued to witness strong growth in overall tourist arrivals in 2017 with 2.9 million travellers visiting Victoria. Of this, India recorded the strongest growth with 1,44,200 tourist arrivals last year, a growth of 22.6 per cent over 2016," Visit Victoria Head of International Markets Carmen Smith told PTI here.

The recently introduced e-visa facilities for Indians have further boosted tourist arrivals from India, she added.

Smith said, looking at the current trend this year since January, we expect to welcome more Indians. In the following year, there is likely to be 10-15 per cent growth in arrivals from India at 1,58,000-1,65,000 tourists visiting Victoria.

There has been a 22.3 per cent growth in travel expenditure by Indians -- spending USD 392 million in 2017 from USD 320 million in 2016, she added.

"India is forecast to become the second largest market in overnight visitor expenditure by 2022. Indians currently spend USD 72 dollars per night and USD 2,717 per visit to Victoria," she said.

Victoria attracts visitors from across India and all age groups.

"We have something for every age and taste. From adventure sports to wellness, from stunning beaches for honeymooners to children's favourite, Phillip Island, sports to food and wine, we have a fully packed vacation for every kind of travellers. Visiting family and friends (VFR) being our strongest segment and comprises of almost 50 per cent of our Indian travellers currently.

"We are also targeting matured affluent Indian travellers, HINK (high income no kids), offering them with new experiences," Smith said.

Victoria has witnessed visitors travelling from various parts of India, so keeping that in mind the promotions will be done in major cities of all regions, she added.

"We plan our promotional tours across eight cities in India this year focusing on primary cities such as Mumbai and New Delhi apart from Chennai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Pune and Hyderabad," she said.