The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, has launched an information source for small tourism businesses outlining the range of relevant services provided by the Australian Government.
The Supporting Small Tourism Businesses fact sheet is a combined Australian Government resource supported through the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism and the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.
The information provided covers topics including business planning and marketing, taxation advice, and environmental sustainability in the tourism industry.
Minister Ferguson said: "A one-stop information source saves time, increases knowledge and improves business efficiency.
"I hope that small business operators can take advantage of the wide range of information and services available, as small businesses are the backbone of our $88 billion tourism industry.
"I would also like to encourage small tourism business operators to take advantage of the Government's Small Business Tax Break, which expires at the end of this month.
"If your business has an annual turnover of less than $2 million, you are able to claim a 50 per cent bonus tax deduction for eligible assets costing $1,000 or more, provided they are purchased before January 1, 2010 and installed before the end of 2010."
The Government's support for Australia's tourism industry was reiterated last week with the launch of the National Long-Term Tourism Strategy, which provides a work plan for skills, infrastructure and the removal of barriers to investment, and which will give investors greater confidence in the sector's long-term prospects.
Both the Supporting Small Tourism Businesses fact sheet and the National Long-Term Tourism Strategy are available at www.ret.gov.au.