Audit recommendations would jeopardise Australia’s tourism industry

05 May 2014 2100 | World Travel News

The National Commission of Audit report recommendations to cut funding for the tourism industry are farcical and would take the industry back 30 years, undermining the growing success of a $29 billion industry.

“These recommendations are simply ludicrous and fail to recognise the significant gain the Australian economy makes from a small investment in tourism marketing abroad,” ATEC Managing Director, Peter Shelley said.

“Australia’s tourism industry employs over half a million people and generates almost $30 billion for the economy and is projected to grow significantly over the next 5 years - messing with this successful formula will only serve to irreversibly damage one of Australia's growth export industries."

“The industry has worked hard to build a successful export market - driving international visitors to Australia - and we are now seen as a highly desirable destination abroad."

“Maintaining our marketing presence in a highly competitive global tourism market place is crucial to Australia not only continuing to attract visitors but in building these markets even further.”

Mr Shelley said funding for Tourism Australia and grants such as the Export Market Development Grants were essential expenditures the industry had proved it could successfully convert into value for the Australian economy.

“Tourism is one industry where Australia has a huge natural advantage - we are unique, exciting and offer great access to nature and fantastic food and wine - these are proving to be highly desirable assets in the international tourism landscape."

“If we reduce our marketing efforts abroad, we risk being overtaken by other countries which are eager to invest in marketing because they recognise the value of the tourism dollar."

“We already know that every dollar spent on tourism generates an additional 91 cents in other parts of the economy – these are higher than multipliers in mining, agriculture and financial services - investing in marketing Australia internationally delivers a significant return on investment for the Government."

“ATEC calls on the Federal Government to reject these recommendations which would undermine the success of the Australia’s tourism industry and jeopardise the significant future opportunities it holds.”