Aussies not holidaying in Melbourne
The Victorian Opposition said last week that the number of Australians who choose to holiday in Melbourne has slumped 25 per cent in five years.
Liberal tourism spokesman Martin Dixon pointed to the latest Tourism Research Australia figures which show the city’s decline in domestic tourism from 1999 to 2004 and visitors to Victoria’s regional areas also fell by 10 per cent over the period.
“While the number of international visitors to Victoria increased over the same period, it is clear the good marketing done overseas is not being replicated within Australia,” Mr Dixon said today.
He said the introduction of low cost airfares, recent jumps in fuel prices and better marketing campaigns by rival Australian states had contributed to the decline.
“For the sake of Victoria and the tourism industry, the Bracks Government needs to sharpen its marketing campaigns and reconsider its current funding arrangements,” Mr Dixon said.
“It is simply unacceptable that domestic tourism in Victoria is deteriorating.”
Report by John Alwyn-Jones
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