Melbourne remains the only city in the world to have topped the Economist’s Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Global Liveability Index for the fifth year in a row.
The annual ranking looks at living conditions in 140 cities across the globe by assigning a rating across five broad categories, including: stability; healthcare; culture and environment; education; and infrastructure.TOURISM IMPACTDaniel Andrews, premier of Victoria says: 'Once again Melbourne has come out on top confirming we really do have the best of everything in Victoria. Melbourne offers an enviable lifestyle – some of the best sports and major events, the best artists and creative minds, the best universities and schools, the best entrepreneurs and ideas, world-class and well-connected infrastructure and a strong economy – what’s not to love!''To keep Victoria number one we need to keep investing in the future. In 2015-16 the Victorian Government has invested A$20 billion ($14.7 billion) in major transport infrastructure and a further A$5.4 billion ($3.9 billion) to health and education to create more jobs and grow our economy,' he adds. Melbourne has consistently appeared in the top five cities since the ranking’s inception in 2002, and has taken out the top spot in the index for the past five years in a row. In the five years that Melbourne has retained its number one spot, international visitors to Victoria have increased by 8 per cent per year, compared the national average of 4.7 per cent per annum. Similarly, tourist expenditure in Victoria increased by 8.8 per cent compared to a 5.2 per cent per annum increase nationally.
MIDEAST INTERESTTourism Australia and Etihad Airways signed a five-year, A$30 million ($22 million) marketing deal to promote Australia to leisure and business travellers in key overseas markets. The primary focus of the deal will be promoting Australia to international leisure and business travellers within Europe – specifically rolling out new tourism campaigns in the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy. Emirates recently announced its sixth daily A380 service to Australia with the up-gauge of its current service between Dubai and Melbourne via Singapore. From March 1 next year, EK404 and EK405 will be operated by A380s, replacing the existing Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, providing more customer options as well as additional seat capacity on the route. With this up-gauge, Melbourne will be served twice daily with an Emirates A380.