Australia’s export tourism industry is calling on political parties to show a strong commitment to driving tourism industry recovery.
Ahead of the upcoming federal election on May 21, ATEC is calling on all parties to outline policy platforms that will support the industry restart.
“Australia’s export tourism industry has endured two years of debilitating conditions where many businesses simply had no income or vision on when it would end,” said ATEC Managing Director, Peter Shelley.
“Now we have our borders open we are seeing the green shoots of recovery and with export tourism businesses looking to rebuild their markets, this an important time for government focus on investing in getting the industry back on its feet.
ATEC’s #itstimefortourism campaign: Recover, Rebuild, Regrow outlines key supports, investments and policy considerations. It includes calls for increased funding for Tourism Australia, extra funding and better targeting of the EMDG program, as well as visa innovation and subsidies for businesses to attend trade events.
The group is also asking for an extension to the WHM fee waiver, investment in tour guide training and GoWithTourism Australia and more flexible student visas to allow longer working hours.
Additionally, ATEC highlighted a need for programs to support training and capability building, indigenous product development and building regional capacity, as well as innovations for payment processes, leading edge business practices, itinerary development and sustainability.
“While we rebuild our industry we also have the opportunity to innovate and improve business practices, support a more sustainable industry and create a tourism industry of the future,” Shelley said.
“It’s time for tourism and it’s time for our political parties to recognise the important contribution the tourism export sector – Australia’s largest service export – makes to our economy by supporting these simple but effective requests that will enable tourism businesses across Australia to get back to what they do best.”