Industry urged to move with the times
Australia’s struggling tourism sector has been warned that the country’s mining boom has changed the game – perhaps for ever.
In a productivity report, advisory firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers said the local tourism industry should be considering change rather than waiting for the tough times to pass.
The mining boom had hurt tourism by making Australia a more expensive destination for overseas travellers, soaking up much of the nation’s low-skilled labour and clogging up accommodation options in many regions that are traditionally geared towards tourism, PwC said.
”There is a growing acknowledgement that some of [the mining boom’s] impact may be here to stay, at least for the medium term,” PwC said.
”For tourism, this implies a more permanent, structural adjustment for the sector to adapt to macroeconomic conditions that may be the norm for many years to come.”
PwC said there were opportunities for tourism operators to capitalise on the boom, with the growth in business travel – particularly in Western Australia and Queensland – a perfect example.
The report urged the industry to focus on the ”needs and preferences” of the resources industry, by promoting ”non-leisure” tourism such as education tours.
And the report noted, “Gone are the days of being an expert in tourism; to survive as an individual operator in this environment you need to be a web designer, book keeper, marketer, HR specialist and office manager – even before the first customer comes through your door.
“This is a difficult ask in an industry dominated by individuals with a passion for showing visitors the wonders that Australia has to offer.”
Ian Jarrett
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