The impact of the Asian financial crisis on Australian tourism

Abstract

The Asian financial crisis was unforeseen and caused a significant downturn in tourist arrivals in a number of countries in Asia as well as in Australia. This paper reviews the causes of the Asian financial crisis, examines the initial impacts on Australia's tourism industry and assesses the response of the Australian Government. It appears that the Australian Government has generally ignored the impact of the crisis on the tourism industry and has failed to ensure that Government policies in areas such as taxation have a neutral impact on the nation's tourism industry.