FOUR LONG YEARS AFTER the Asian economic crisis struck, the Australian casino industry is finally getting back on its feet. As Asian economies have picked up and the Australian dollar has weakened, making the country a cheap destination, tourists - and their cash - are making their way back Down Under.
Late last year, casino owners saw their profits soar five-fold as gamblers exchanged record sums for chips. News-paper reports declared a resurgence in gambling as tourist figures improved and casino takings soared.
'There has been recovery as the economies strengthen,' says Gary O'Neill, Melbourne's Crown Casino corporate relations general manager. But the markets have changed, he adds. 'The demographic is different. Our two biggest markets are now Taiwan and Hong Kong.'
On the other side of the continent at Perth's Burswood Casino, general manager John Schaaps adds: 'During last year, Burswood achieved some growth in visitation from our traditional markets of Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.'
They were also focusing on Hong Kong, Taiwan and China.
While Indonesians are still not back in numbers, the Chinese are making themselves known on the Australian tourism scene. In 1999, 87,500 Chinese travelled there compared with just over 50,000 in 1996 and insiders believe that the mainland will provide ever-growing revenue for the industry. Also adding to the tourist tally in the past four years have been 66,000 more Singaporeans and an extra 12,000 Malaysians.