Inbound Tour Operators in Australia - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
Melbourne, Australia
Last Updated: February 2024
ANZSIC OD5397Revenue
$657.0m
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XX.Xm
Employees
3,812
Businesses
384
Wages
$XXX.Xm
Inbound Tour Operators in Australia industry analysis
Inbound tour operators primarily arrange and assemble travel packages, combining domestic tourism products like accommodation, transport, scenic tours and meals for overseas travel wholesalers and retailers. Revenue mainly depends on the number of inbound tourists visiting Australia. As such, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Federal Government's inbound travel restrictions collapsed tourist numbers from March 2020 to February 2022. However, after the international border reopened, revenue has roared back, driven by a combination of pent-up demand and high prices. Therefore, over the five years through 2023-24, industry revenue is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 2.0% to $657.0 million. This trend includes an expected 80.3% surge in revenue in 2023-24 as high prices and strong demand propels a continued post-pandemic recovery.
Trends and Insights
- The industry has recovered from the pandemic, which collapsed industrywide revenue in 2019-20 and 2020-21. The Federal Government banned inbound travel from March 2020 to February 2022, which closed off most revenue streams for the industry.
- Revenue generated from accommodation services has declined over the past decade. Inbound travellers' rising use of the accommodation-sharing network Airbnb has taken demand away from the industry.
- Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are home to lion's share industry establishments. Tour agencies set up offices for sales and marketing staff to liaise with overseas agencies and local tourism providers to improve product offerings.
- The emergence of short-term rental providers, like Vrbo and Airbnb, has increased external competition on tour companies. Consumers are increasingly use these platforms to book their accommodation, which necessarily drives them away from travel packages.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 2.0 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $657.0m in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Before the pandemic hit, rising international tourist numbers fuelled growth opportunities
- Before the COVID-19 pandemic, tour agencies benefitted from rising international travel to Australia, driven by the depreciation of the Australian dollar, cheap airfares and strong demand for Australian tourism.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Tour operators will look to Asia to grow turnover and profit
- International demand for Australian tourism will accelerate in the coming years, with government initiatives promoting Australia as an international tourist destination. Tourism Australia's Tourism 2030 campaign will benefit the wider tourism sector, especially through the construction of tourist-friendly infrastructure.
Biggest companies in the Inbound Tour Operators in Australia
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue ($m)
2024 |
|---|---|---|
Helloworld | 51.6 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 1 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Transport, Meals and Accommodation. Transport is the largest segment of the Inbound Tour Operators in Australia.
Trends and Insights
Food & wine tourism boosts the revenue generated from meals
- This segment includes catered meals typically spanning breakfast, lunch and dinner. Accommodation providers usually serve meals on their premises as part of the tour package as a convenient option for tourists undertaking guided tours.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Domestic Airlines in Australia
- Travel Agency and Tour Arrangement Services in Australia
- Hotels and Resorts in Australia
Complementors
- Tourism in Australia
International industries
- Tour Operators in the US
- Tour Operators in Canada
- Tour Operators in the UK
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Industry players package multi-day tour products, combining accommodation, guides, transport and other travel-related services. Industry players then sell these packages to overseas travel wholesalers and retail travel agents to earn a commission. The industry does not include wholesalers that assemble and sell travel packages to domestic travel agents.
What's included in this industry?
MealsAccommodationTransportCompanies
HelloworldPurchase this report to view all 1 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
METASEARCH WEBSITEPACKAGE TOURSTRAVEL WEBSITETRAVEL SERVICE PROVIDERBACKPACKERIndustry Code
ANZSIC 7220 - Inbound Tour Operators in Australia
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The industry has recovered from the pandemic, which collapsed industrywide revenue in 2019-20 and 2020-21. The Federal Government banned inbound travel from March 2020 to Feb...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Revenue generated from accommodation services has declined over the past decade. Inbound travellers' rising use of the accommodation-sharing network Airbnb has taken demand a...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are home to lion's share industry establishments. Tour agencies set up offices for sales and marketing staff to liaise with overseas agencies a...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
The emergence of short-term rental providers, like Vrbo and Airbnb, has increased external competition on tour companies. Consumers are increasingly use these platforms to bo...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Outside of the industry's major players, Helloworld Travel Ltd, the industry is highly fragmented. The industry's services are regional, providing a market for many small-sca...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Helloworld's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Helloworld, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
As Chinese tourists return to Australia, tour operators need to join the China Approved Destination Status (ADS) scheme, managed by the Australian Trade and Investment Commiss...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profit has fluctuated heavily over recent years. It plummeted in 2020-21, while the international border was closed. In 2022-23 and 2023-24, profit margins rebounded as turno...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Australia include:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Inbound Tour Operators industry in Australia in 2024?
The market size of the Inbound Tour Operators industry in Australia is $657.0m in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Inbound Tour Operators in Australia industry in 2024?
There are 384 businesses in the Inbound Tour Operators industry in Australia, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.8 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Inbound Tour Operators industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Inbound Tour Operators industry in Australia has been growing at a CAGR of 2.0 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Inbound Tour Operators industry in Australia over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Inbound Tour Operators industry in Australia is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Inbound Tour Operators market in Australia?
The biggest company operating in the Inbound Tour Operators market in Australia is Helloworld
What does the Inbound Tour Operators in Australia include?
Meals and Accommodation are part of the Inbound Tour Operators industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Inbound Tour Operators in Australia?
The company holding the most market share in Australia is Helloworld.
How competitive is the Inbound Tour Operators industry in Australia?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Inbound Tour Operators industry in Australia.
