3 years ago
BEST OF OUR OWN BACKYARD THE KEY TO TOURISM RECOVERY
SENATOR DON FARRELL
A strong, sustainable domestic market will play a key role in the recovery of both the tourism sector and the Australian economy from the impacts of COVID-19.
Labor welcomes Tourism Australia’s commitment to overhauling its strategy to focus on domestic marketing, given the indefinite restrictions on international visitors.
Coronavirus has hit tourism as hard as any sector of our economy, with reports this week that at least 100,000 Australians directly employed in tourism are out of work, representing one in six of all direct employees of the industry.
The COVID-19 pandemic hitting on the back of last summer’s devastating bushfires has been a double-whammy for many operators and has clearly demonstrated the importance of a robust domestic market to safeguard businesses and support jobs.
Tourism Australia was pushed out of domestic marketing by a 2013 directive from the then Abbott Government, until the recent bushfires forced a re-think.
Labor understands the importance of domestic tourism and is pleased to see Tourism Australia being given the green light to re-enter this vital market.
Australians seeing Australia will be more important than ever to our tourism sector and our economy, given international travel is unlikely for some time. Tourism Australia’s national focus will help operators across the country remind Aussies of the vast array of amazing travel destinations and experiences on offer here at home.
Labor calls on the Government to ensure Tourism Australia continues to play an important role in domestic marketing beyond the COVIS-19 crisis.
Labor welcomes Tourism Australia’s commitment to overhauling its strategy to focus on domestic marketing, given the indefinite restrictions on international visitors.
Coronavirus has hit tourism as hard as any sector of our economy, with reports this week that at least 100,000 Australians directly employed in tourism are out of work, representing one in six of all direct employees of the industry.
The COVID-19 pandemic hitting on the back of last summer’s devastating bushfires has been a double-whammy for many operators and has clearly demonstrated the importance of a robust domestic market to safeguard businesses and support jobs.
Tourism Australia was pushed out of domestic marketing by a 2013 directive from the then Abbott Government, until the recent bushfires forced a re-think.
Labor understands the importance of domestic tourism and is pleased to see Tourism Australia being given the green light to re-enter this vital market.
Australians seeing Australia will be more important than ever to our tourism sector and our economy, given international travel is unlikely for some time. Tourism Australia’s national focus will help operators across the country remind Aussies of the vast array of amazing travel destinations and experiences on offer here at home.
Labor calls on the Government to ensure Tourism Australia continues to play an important role in domestic marketing beyond the COVIS-19 crisis.