3 years ago
FLAT-LINING APRIL ARRIVALS FLAG ONGOING TOURISM IMPACT
SENATOR DON FARRELL
Overseas arrivals data for April released today clearly illustrates the huge challenge facing the tourism sector.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics provisional figures for last month unsurprisingly show a harrowing 99 per cent drop off in overseas arrivals.
While the travel restrictions put in place to deal with the COVID-19 crisis are absolutely necessary, these figures highlight the need for ongoing, targeted support for the tourism sector.
Tourism is a vital industry in Australia, which in normal times employs around one million people and contributes $100 billion to our economy.
Many other businesses, particularly in regional communities, rely on tourists for the profitability of their businesses and, in turn, the livelihoods of the people they employ, and their households.
We don’t know when Australia will again be able to welcome tourists from overseas.
But we do know that before this crisis some regions were particularly reliant on international visitors.
With no end date in sight for the horror overseas arrivals figures seen in April, domestic tourism is going to be more important than ever.
I strongly encourage all Australians who had planned international trips before travel restrictions hit to instead invest in experiencing all that our own amazing nation has to offer.
A holiday at home will also be an investment in the future of our tourism operators and the millions of Australians they employ.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics provisional figures for last month unsurprisingly show a harrowing 99 per cent drop off in overseas arrivals.
While the travel restrictions put in place to deal with the COVID-19 crisis are absolutely necessary, these figures highlight the need for ongoing, targeted support for the tourism sector.
Tourism is a vital industry in Australia, which in normal times employs around one million people and contributes $100 billion to our economy.
Many other businesses, particularly in regional communities, rely on tourists for the profitability of their businesses and, in turn, the livelihoods of the people they employ, and their households.
We don’t know when Australia will again be able to welcome tourists from overseas.
But we do know that before this crisis some regions were particularly reliant on international visitors.
With no end date in sight for the horror overseas arrivals figures seen in April, domestic tourism is going to be more important than ever.
I strongly encourage all Australians who had planned international trips before travel restrictions hit to instead invest in experiencing all that our own amazing nation has to offer.
A holiday at home will also be an investment in the future of our tourism operators and the millions of Australians they employ.