Australian tourism minister Martin Ferguson has announced a "significant update" for the National Long-Term Tourism Strategy to help safeguard the sector's growth.

Tourism 2020 brings together the existing document with the growth aspirations of the 2020 Tourism Industry Potential and is endorsed by all states and territories.

Ferguson has confirmed new targets for the AU$34bn (£22.3bn, EUR26.1bn, US$34.9bn) Australian industry, which include doubling overnight tourism expenditure by 2020.

The update is also designed to help the industry and government work together in order to take advantage of the forecast increase in domestic and overseas visitor numbers.

Ferguson said: "Tourism 2020 will sharpen Australia's competitive edge and deliver tangible benefits for Australian tourism businesses.

"One-in-five of Tourism Australia's marketing dollars will be spent in China to capitalise on the incredible growth coming out of that region."

Image: Anthony Winning