Give us the money, pleads tourism industry
A new industry survey has found declines in tourism activity and expectations in Australia.
According to the Transport and Tourism Forum (TTF)-MasterCard Tourism Industry Sentiment Survey, in the second quarter, international tourism nosedived 20 points, with expectations for the current quarter down 10 points.
Domestic tourism is rated as average, with expectations up slightly.
Christ Brown, managing director of lobby group TTF, said the industry is calling for greater government support for tourism.
“Industry is putting its money where its mouth is and backing Tourism Australia’s There’s Nothing Like Australia campaign,†Brown said, “but the agency’s funding has declined in real terms in recent years.â€
Brown said the government has reinvigorated Tourism Australia with new leadership and “now it’s essential that the new leadership is backed by an appropriate level of financial supportâ€.
He said there was little point in getting industry heavyweights on board “if they are then expected to do the job with one hand tied behind their backsâ€.
“TTF is calling for both the government and opposition to commit to increasing Tourism Australia’s funding to at least $140 million to maximise the impact of the new campaign and to give industry partners the certainty they need to plan future marketing and promotional activities.â€
Brown said the results of the latest TTF-MasterCard Tourism Industry Sentiment Survey show that uncertainty is returning.
“The downturns in both performance indicators and expectations show that the industry is concerned about economic volatility, both at home and abroad,†Brown said.
Ian Jarrett
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