Australia tipped to see biggest tourist growth in 2008

Australia is expected to see the largest increase in long-haul holiday bookings for 2008, according to new research.

The survey of 1,000 independent travel agents in the UK by marketing company The Network revealed that 17 per cent expect Australia to be the big winner.

Thanks to the recently-signed US-Australia open skies agreement, extra flight capacity should boost holidays to Australia.

Other top long haul destinations expected to do well in 2008 included the US and Dubai.

Destinations predicted to be popular in the short-haul category are Greece and Italy, with each tipped for 15 per cent growth in holiday bookings this year.

Overall, travel agents are optimistic about the holidays market in 2008 with 38 per cent expecting holiday bookings to increase by five to ten per cent and 23 per cent forecasting greater than ten per cent growth.

The survey was conducted through face-to face interviews in January this year.