A growing number of people are leaving Australia and not returning, as inbound and outbound travel continues to recover after sharp declines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show the total number of departures from Australia rose to 1,694,440 in August, 11.7 per cent higher than a year earlier.
At the same time, returns of short-term residents reached 916,980, an increase of 6.8 percent from last year.
This means more people have chosen to leave and not return to Australia.
There were 1,656,470 arrivals in total, an increase of 7.2 percent from the previous year.
For travelers to Australia, 658,810 short-term trips were recorded, an increase of 55,450 compared to the corresponding month the previous year.
This figure was still 16.5 percent lower than the August 2019 level before the pandemic.
Where do Australians travel?
Australians made the highest number of trips from Indonesia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
The three countries with the most visitors to Australia were New Zealand, China and Japan.
Australian Travel Industry Association chief executive Dean Long said Australians were “eager to make up for lost time”.
The leader of the travel industry’s peak body said: “Australians have renewed confidence in international travel and are eager to explore destinations near and far.”
“Whether it’s the lure of vibrant cities, natural landscapes or cultural attractions, Australians are traveling more frequently and to a wider range of destinations than we have seen in recent years.”
