Tourism Scores in Australian Senate Enquiry
Monday, 24 Nov, 2009
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left to right) Prof David Harrison, University of South Pacific, Rex Horoi, Foundation for the People of the Pacific International, Prof Terry de Lacy, Victoria University , Dr Min Liang, Victoria University , Dr Dale Dominey-Howes University of NSW, Steve Noakes, Pacific Asia Tourism Pty Ltd. (Source: OSTA)
Benefits for Pacific Islanders Witnessed to Enquiry by Steve Noakes
Following a written submission by Pacific Asia Tourism Pty Ltd to the Australian Government Senate Inquiry into the economic and security challenges facing Papua New Guinea and the island states of the southwest Pacific Pacific.
Asia Tourism Pty Ltd Director, Steve Noakes was called as a witness to the Inquiry.
He said “If we make the assumption that the security, governance and peace of the Pacific islands will be best achieved if there are strong economies and jobs for people and then ask, ‘What can create employment opportunities for them? then certainly the tourism industry comes in there as a player. Already we know that in many of the island economies tourism is the major or a very significant component of the local economy and we know that in every economy it is probably the most highly integrated component. A whole range of goods and services that are produced or traded in those economies are stimulated by more visitor expenditure. There are wonderful opportunities for ‘agritourism’ of getting engagement with the production of agricultural products into the supply chains for the industry, whether that is food, growing crops that can end up in restaurants and hotels, or the production of other things on farms that can be applied into the tourism sector.”
The Inquiry has now publicly released its report which includes the following positive outcomes for sustainable tourism and international development in the Pacific Islands region:
“In light of the growing awareness among major donors (EU, US and New Zealand) of the value of using sustainable tourism to assist developing countries alleviate poverty and promote broad-based economic growth, the committee recommends that the Australian Government incorporate this sector as an identifiable program in its ODA policy framework for the region.”
“The natural beauty of the region is one of its strongest assets and offers great prospects for economic growth through the tourist industry. Tourism is already an important industry in the region and makes a major contribution to the economies of the Pacific islands. It appears that this niche market offers considerable promise as a way to boost economic development. For example, the expanding tourism industry in Fiji and Samoa now accounts for about 25 per cent of GDP and some 50 per cent of GDP for the Cook Islands and Palau.”
According to DFAT, Tonga’s tourist industry is “modest but with potential for expansion”, while “continuing growth in Vanuatu’s tourism sector will be crucial to providing employment opportunities for its young and rapidly growing population”.
According to Mr Steven Noakes, Pacific Asia Tourism Pty Ltd, tourism can generate “the biggest multiplier impact from export dollars” “Among other things, tourism:
- is consumed at the point of production;
- has the potential to support other economic activities;
- is labour intensive and provides a wide range of different employment opportunities for both skilled and unskilled workers;
- creates opportunities for many small and micro entrepreneurs;
- is a source of community pride, promotes local culture and creates a greater awareness of the natural environment and its economic value.
The committee concludes: “There is potential for Australia to assist these countries in this regard through helping them to understand the requirements of importing countries and to build the technical capacity needed to be able to satisfy international standards. Pacific Island countries would also benefit from capacity building in the areas of business management, marketing, trade negotiation and industry specific skills such as hospitality.”
For the full report:
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