Chinese tourist numbers to Australia leap as does local exodus

SYDNEY - The number of Chinese visitors to Australia leapt to 901,400 in the past year and is set to hit one million by the end of this year.

Just five years ago, the figure of Chinese visitors to Australia was 479,600.

But visitors from China are only one part of the movement of travelers in and out of Australia.

In April, 610,300 overseas visitors arrived in Australia. But in the same month, 776,500 Australian residents packed their bags and headed abroad for holidays, visits to relatives, or short-term business travel.

The deficit was 166,200, according to the seasonally adjusted figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Thursday.

That meant more money went overseas than came into the country.