Tourism Australia and Air India have signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance Indian visitor arrivals to Australia. This partnership aims to capitalize on Air India’s expanding market presence and strengthen tourism ties between the two nations.

The agreement outlines a joint commitment to marketing initiatives that highlight Australia’s attractions and promote it as a top destination for Indian travelers. Both organizations plan to collaborate on showcasing Australia’s diverse offerings to sustain the upward trend in Indian tourist arrivals.

Phillipa Harrison, Managing Director of Tourism Australia, remarked, “We have seen tremendous growth in the number of arrivals from India to Australia in recent years, and we are keen for arrivals to continue to track in that direction. Tourism Australia’s agreement with Air India highlights our commitment to strengthening partnerships and exploring new ways to encourage Indian travellers to plan and book an Australia holiday. We look forward to working closely with Air India to showcase Australia as a holiday destination.”

Andrew Hogg, Executive General Manager of Eastern Markets and Aviation at Tourism Australia, emphasized India’s potential as a high-value market. He noted, “India holds immense promise, and we’re excited to collaborate with Air India to further elevate Australia’s appeal for high-yielding Indian leisure and business travellers. We aim to sustain growth in visitor numbers from India to Australia while enhancing travel experiences and connectivity between the two countries.”

Air India, a Tata-owned airline, plays a pivotal role in connecting India and Australia. The airline currently operates 17 weekly non-stop flights between the two countries. In the year ending August 2024, Air India carried over 170,000 Indian travelers to Australia, capturing an 18.5% share of the Indian-Australian travel market.

Campbell Wilson, CEO and Managing Director of Air India, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, saying, “We are excited to partner with Tourism Australia to facilitate travellers’ experiences of the unique offerings this destination has to offer. As we broaden our network across the globe, we aim to deepen our presence in Australia as well.”

This MoU reflects both parties’ commitment to strengthening tourism ties and supporting sustainable growth in travel between India and Australia.