Today, the Tourism Ministers' Council (TMC) held an extra ordinary meeting in Adelaide, South Australia to consider and endorse the National Long-Term Tourism Strategy and the National Tourism Accreditation Framework. The TMC was chaired by the Hon Dr Elizabeth Constable MLA, Minister for Tourism, Western Australia and was attended by the Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP, Federal Minister for Tourism as well as State and Territory Tourism Ministers.
The National Long Term Tourism Strategy includes recommendations from the Jackson Report - an industry report on the tourism sector. The Strategy is a tourism policy document which addresses tourism priorities such as regulatory impediments, skills and labour shortages, investment, infrastructure, planning and indigenous tourism, climate change implications, research and marketing.
Since 1997, the tourism industry has sought to increase awareness and recognition of Australia's quality tourism businesses, products and services via tourism business accreditation. The TMC endorsed the National Tourism Accreditation Framework, developed by industry and Government. The Framework will encourage higher business standards and encourage consumer awareness of accredited businesses by marketing those businesses under a common brand.
Ministers have directed the Australian Standing Committee on Tourism (ASCOT) to finalise a project plan for implementing the Strategy for approval in November 2009. It will provide the opportunity for industry and stakeholder involvement in tasks and solutions.
The Chair and incoming Managing Director of Tourism Australia will also prepare a report for the next TMC meeting on consultation, cooperation and potential joint activity between State and Territory Tourism organisations and private industry.
TMC will project manage the National Long-Term Tourism Strategy project plan and the National Tourism Accreditation Framework.
Background information
TMC comprises Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand Ministers responsible for tourism with Norfolk Island and Papua New Guinea as observers.
Members of the Council are:
Hon Dr Elizabeth Constable MLA (Western Australia- Chair)
Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP (Commonwealth)
Mr Andrew Barr MLA (Australian Capital Territory)
Dr Christopher Burns MLA (Northern Territory)
Hon Tim Holding MP (Victoria)
Hon Peter Lawlor MP (Queensland)
Hon Dr Jane Lomax-Smith MP (South Australia)
Hon Jodi McKay MP (New South Wales)
Hon Michelle O'Byrne MP (Tasmania)
Rt Hon John Key MP / Hon Jonathan Coleman MP (New Zealand)
Observers:
Hon Geoff Gardener MLA (Norfolk Island)
Hon Charles Abel MP (Papua New Guinea)
TMC is supported by the Australian Standing Committee on Tourism (ASCOT).ASCOT comprises the CEOs of State and Territory Tourism Organisations, Tourism New Zealand and Tourism Australia, with Norfolk Island and Papua New Guinea as observers.
Secretariat contact:
Dr Peter Tucker, General Manager - Industry Sustainability Group
Tourism Division
Australian Government Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism
Ph: (02) 3213 6958
Fax: (02) 6290 8635
Media contact:
Michael Bradley - 0420 371 744