Figure 11.16: Tourism in Oceania. Tourism plays a major role in the economies of Oceania. In 2008, more than 17.7 million tourists visited the region, with just under one-third of these going to Australia. The origins of the tourists reflect changing trade patterns in the region, with more and more coming from Asia. Here you see hotels on Honolulu’s Waikiki Beach, which provide lodging for a majority of Hawaii’s 6 million yearly visitors.