On Friday the Australian Bureau of Statistics released its latest short-term visitor arrivals data for the month of March.
That data revealed that Australia's tourism boom is in full swing, with short-term arrivals rising 6.5% year-on-year to 712,800.
Once again China was the driving force behind the increase. Short-term arrivals from the country increased 7.9% from March 2016 to 106,200.
Considering the rapid increase of China's middle class and its love of traveling, I expect this level of growth can be sustained for some time to come.
I believe this could provide strong tailwinds for the following shares:
Mantra Group Ltd (ASX: MTR)
With over 20,000 rooms under management across key tourist hotspots, I believe this accommodation provider is a great way to gain exposure to the tourism boom. I expect demand for its rooms to increase over the next few years, allowing it to grow earnings at an above-average rate.
Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR)
The key catalyst to the growth in the arrivals has been Chinese tourism. Considering their reputation for enjoying a spot of gambling, I believe this casino and entertainment company is positioned perfectly to profit.
Sealink Travel Group Ltd (ASX: SLK)
As a provider of ferry services in key tourist hotspots such as Sydney Harbour and Kangaroo Island, I believe SeaLink Travel is another great option for investors looking to profit from the tourism boom.
Sydney Airport Holdings Ltd (ASX: SYD)
As the main gateway into Australia I believe Sydney Airport stands to benefit from the increasing number of arrivals into the country. I believe this will allow Sydney Airport to grow its earnings at a solid and predictable rate for some time to come.
