The next generation’s economic driver, Regional Tourism Chair of the Network, Mr David Sheldon says, “For too long now regional tourism has been the poor cousin for the Turnbull government.
The powers to be talk-the-talk but won’t walk-the-walk when we look at the influence regional Australia has on the overall Tourism Industry which is approx 45% of the 30 billion consumption.”
With the summer holiday season in full swing and the recent figures indicating more Australians are choosing to holiday in Australia than ever before now is the time to set the foundations of the future.
In 2015–16, total tourism consumption in Australia increased 6.1% (or $7.5 billion).
74% is from domestic consumption (up 4.4% or $4.1 billion to $95.7 billion).
Both domestic and international visitors contributed substantially to the total growth in visitor spending, with domestic spending up $4.1 billion and international spending up $3.4 billion on the previous year.
Mr Sheldon continued to say, “Yes the runs are on the board when we look to tomorrow, Tourism 2020 and the Government needs to be congratulated however, Regional tourism is the social and economic enabler for Australia’s next generation, Tourism 2030.”
“It is time this Government took its head out of the sand and developed next generation initiatives in collaboration with relevant agencies and both state and local governments to develop action plans for regional infrastructure and international dispersal that go beyond this short term vision ie: the backpacker tax grab.”
“We all heard the government’s whiz bang initiative last year about the ‘Building Better Regions Fund’, but where are we and has this program been aligned with the planned boom of the Tourism Industry and the Regional Futures Australia program?”
According to the latest Tourism Satellite Accounts, Tourism has for the second year in succession exceeded the national rate of economic growth, GDP attributable to tourism has increased by 17% compared with 4.1% for the economy as a whole.
The Australian Regional Tourism Network urges the Prime Minister and Cabinet to adopt a cross portfolio commitment and enable a cabinet endorsed sub-committee to champion the development of a Tourism 2030 policy that incorporates regional infrastructure and dispersal initiatives.
“Such plans, which must include hard and soft wired NBN, are vital to attracting new commercial ventures and businesses to regions that create the opportunities for jobs, especially today’s youth sector which will enhance the social fabric of our regions and put a new leaf of life into many parts of regional and remote Australia. This initiative is in line with the Prime Minister and Treasurer’s mantra of ‘Innovation, Jobs and Growth.”
“It’s time the Government took a macro look, as Tourism 2020 is just about upon us…it’s time to establish Tourism 2030, that embraces the nation and protects the social wellbeing of Australia,” concludes Mr Sheldon.
Read more at http://www.etbtravelnews.global
Media Release: January 10, 2017 Australia, Industry News Australian Regional Tourism Network
