Government’s 2020 tourism strategy under fire
Australia’s Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) has welcomed the release of the government’s updated Tourism 2020 document, but is calling for immediate action on current issues.
TTF Chief Executive John Lee said there are challenges which require urgent attention.
“We need to address existing problems surrounding tourism investment, with regional leisure destinations suffering due to flat conditions in domestic tourism as Australians continue to choose international holidays,†said Lee.
Tourism minister Martin Ferguson, releasing the document, said Australia would never abandon its traditional markets of North America and Europe, “but we have to accept that opportunities for the next five to 10 years will come from Asia. It’s the Asian century.â€
The minister said the updated plan for tourism “is all about lifting productivity, innovation and qualityâ€.
While welcoming sections of the report, Lee added, “If we want to ensure that tourism does continue to contribute to the economic development of regional Australia, that it continues to help fund critical economic infrastructure like airports, hotels, and roads, and that it continues to earn almost 10 percent of Australia’s export income, we need to focus more on tourism in 2012, not just on 2020.
“If we can’t get 2012 right, 2020 will be a bridge too far.
“If the goal is to double overnight tourism expenditure to $140 billion by 2020, we need to act now for that to happen,” Lee added.
“That includes providing adequate funding for Tourism Australia, which has had its budget cut by more than $3 million thanks to the latest efficiency dividend increase announced by the federal government.â€
Ian Jarrett
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