Opodo’s forward bookings for summer 2009 show that Melbourne is the destination with the biggest growth in year-on-year bookings - up 400% compared to 2008 and nearly twice as much as the second most popular destination (Delhi, with a 219% increase).

Melbourne is the fastest-growing destination for British visitors Down Under, who are attracted by the city’s world-renowned, cosmopolitan lifestyle.

As Australia’s event capital, Melbourne plays host this month to the 17th Melbourne Food and Wine Festival -the largest of its kind in the world- with an impressive line up of 30 Michelin stars (including UK favourite Heston Blumenthal), followed by the Australian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton’s first race since being crowned World Champion last November, plus the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, one of the top three in the world.

Latest tourism attractions in the city include the massive redevelopment of the Docklands area, the opening of the National Sports Museum (showcasing the largest Olympics memorabilia collection outside the Olympic Committee’s headquarters) and the launch of the spectacular MTC Theatre (the country’s most technically advanced drama theatre). Melbourne’s reputation as Australia’s top food destination has attracted international chefs such as Jamie Oliver, Nobuyuki ‘Nobu’ Matsuhisa and, more recently, Gordon Ramsay.

Melbourne also benefits from the increased airline capacity to the city: Emirates added a third daily flight to the destination last month, while Etihad Airways starts serving Melbourne at the end of March. The city’s International Airport had a 4.5% year-to-year passenger growth in January 2009 – making it a record 27th month in a row.

The announcement is definitely good news for the state, which was recently hit by the worst bushfires in the Australian history. Although a major natural disaster, from a tourism perspective the situation has not affected the most popular areas that UK travellers would visit, including the city of Melbourne, Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island and Mornington Peninsula. In addition, although Victoria has more wineries than any other state in Australia, only a very small percentage of its vineyards have been affected.

Claire Golding, Tourism Victoria’s Regional Manager UK & Europe, said: “Melbourne is fast becoming Australia’s new must-see city. With an impressive line up of world-class events, a lively passion for eating and drinking and a flourishing arts scene, it has struck a real chord in the UK market. The state’s compact size makes it easy to get around and ideal for classic Aussie self-drives and, with an increasing number of international airlines servicing Melbourne, it is now more accessible than ever.”