Parineeti appointed as Friend of Australia, will promote country as tourist destination

Melbourne: Australia has roped in Bollywood actress Parineeti Chopra to be its first Indian woman Ambassador to encourage Indians to visit the country.

She was presented the Friend of Australia (FOA) recognition by Australian Consul General Tony Huber for her contribution to promote Australia recently, according to a Tourism Australia (TA) statement.

Chopra will be the first Indian woman ambassador to be a part of the FOA advocacy panel.

The FOA programme has been devised as a way for TA to foster mutually beneficial and long-term 'friendships' with those they regard as unique, positive and influential storytellers.

Prior to Chopra, famous chef Sanjeev Kapoor and cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle have been great advocates for Australia, encouraging Indians to visit Australia.

In her new role to promote Australia as a tourist destination, Chopra will be visiting Queensland and Northern Territory, exploring Australia's aquatic and coastal experiences, rugged outback, unique wildlife and its incredible variety of world-class food and wine offerings.

"I am extremely delighted today to be appointed as a Friend of Australia, since Australia is one of my favourite holiday destinations," 28-year-old Chopra said.

"I had visited the country last year and I feel there is so much more to explore that one trip is not enough. The country has much more to offer and I'm fascinated by its warm and welcoming people, spectacular nature, unique wildlife, world-class food and wine options and smorgasbord of adventure activities," she said.

In 2016, India was Australia's ninth largest inbound market for visitor arrivals and 10th largest market for total visitor spend.

Visitors from India generated USD 1.2 billion in total expenditure in 2016 and Tourism 2020 strategy estimated that India has the potential to grow to between USD 1.9 billion and USD 2.3 billion in total expenditure by 2020.