Melbourne Airport experienced its busiest month on record this January, welcoming 3,393,977 passengers through its terminals. This figure surpasses the previous peak in December 2019 by over 70,000 travellers.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos, and Melbourne Airport Chief Executive, Lorie Argus, commemorated this achievement at the airport. The surge is attributed to a robust schedule of exclusive sporting, music, and cultural events that draw visitors from across the globe. Notably, international arrivals reached 600,000 in January, with a single-day record of more than 23,000 international visitors on Friday, 24 January. This influx coincided with major events such as the Australian Open and Lunar New Year celebrations, providing a significant boost to local businesses, including hotels and restaurants.
In a strategic move to enhance international connectivity, the Victorian Government secured an agreement with Melbourne Airport and Delta Air Lines. Starting December this year, Delta will operate three new direct flights per week from Los Angeles to Melbourne. This initiative is expected to attract thousands of tourists from the USA and Canada, markets known for travellers seeking outdoor and adventure experiences. In the past year, leisure visitors from the USA have contributed $239 million to Victoria’s economy.The tourism sector’s growth is further evidenced by record-breaking expenditure figures. Recent data indicates that tourism spending has reached an unprecedented $39.7 billion, with international spending now exceeding pre-pandemic levels.
Minister Dimopoulos highlighted Victoria’s status as a premier events destination, stating, “We are the events capital and we continue to secure the best events in Australia. The Australian Open, the Formula 1 Grand Prix, and the NFL – these events are only here in Victoria and they bring people from all around the globe.”Visit Victoria CEO, Brendan McClements, echoed this sentiment, noting, “Victoria is Australia’s cultural, culinary, and sporting capital, and we’re seeing that reflected in these record numbers as more people visit to see what makes our state ‘Every bit different’.
“Melbourne Airport’s CEO, Lorie Argus, expressed pride in the collaborative efforts to restore and enhance international travel. “Since the Australian border reopened in 2021, we’ve been working closely with the Victorian government to rebuild international airline capacity into Melbourne, and we’re now seeing the benefits,” she remarked. “It’s incredible to think that in just three years we’ve rebuilt international capacity from close to nothing, to the point where we are setting new records.
“The record-breaking figures in passenger numbers and tourism spending underscore Victoria’s successful strategies in revitalising its visitor economy. By securing major events and enhancing international flight connections, the state continues to attract a diverse range of tourists, bolstering local businesses and supporting jobs across various sectors.
India has emerged as a vital market for Victoria’s tourism. In 2024, over 200,000 Indian tourists visited the state, driven by a growing middle class and a younger, educated population. This surge in Indian visitors has significantly contributed to the local economy, with India ranking as Victoria’s third-largest source of international visitor expenditure, amounting to $451 million in the year leading up to March 2024. The state’s rich cultural, culinary, and sporting offerings continue to attract Indian tourists seeking unique experiences.
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