International visitor expenditure in Victoria increased 9.1 per cent for the year ending December 2009, outperforming key competitors New South Wales (+0.6 per cent) and Queensland (-4.1 per cent), according to the latest International Visitors Survey recently released by Tourism Research Australia.

International overnight visitation to Victoria increased by 3.5 per cent, outperforming the national average.  In total, Victoria received 1.5 million visitors and reached its highest ever market share of 30 per cent.

Melbourne recorded its highest recorded number of visitors and visitor nights.

1.4 million international overnight visitors (+4.4 per cent) and 34.2 million international nights (+15.7 per cent). Visitor expenditure for Melbourne increased 8.5 per cent.

International visitor expenditure in regional Victoria increased (+15.9 per cent) to reach its highest recorded level.

The results indicate significant year-on-year growth occurred in the following markets: education (+17.8 per cent), visiting friends and relatives (+10.9 per cent), holiday (+5.5 per cent) and backpacker (+3.4 per cent). The business market experienced the largest decline (-13.8 per cent).

The full report can be found at www.tra.australia.com