The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, has outlined the Government's commitment to a strong and competitive tourism industry, unveiling the National Long-Term Tourism Strategyand announcing more than $8 million in TQUAL Grants funding.
The National Long-Term Tourism Strategy provides a work plan for skills, infrastructure and removing barriers to investment, giving investors greater confidence in the sector's long-term prospects. The work plan includes better research for the industry and improving regulation to encourage more tourism investment.
Speaking to the Committee for Economic Development of Australia and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Perth, Minister Ferguson said the Strategy - which has been endorsed by all state and territory governments - seeks to unlock investment in tourism businesses, hotels, airports and infrastructure and address the impediments holding such investment back.
"This Strategy is not about new marketing campaigns," he said. "It's about making sure Australia can meet the demand and the expectations created by our marketing. It is about ensuring we have the new product, the tourism infrastructure, and the skilled workforce we require.
"If you consider that the majority of Australia's 3 and 4 star properties were built between 1965 and 1980, then you can see why this investment is needed.
"Tourism is a $40 billion industry in Australia which generates more than 10% of total Australian exports and directly employs around half a million people.
"Yet Australia's share of global tourism has declined 13 per cent since the mid 1990s and if we are to reverse this trend we need a tourism industry with the expertise, infrastructure and innovation to satisfy both our visitors and a new generation of investors."
Minister Ferguson also announced the 70 recipients of the Australian Government's TQUAL Grants program, totalling almost $8.3 million.
"This funding will boost the quality and diversity of Australia's tourism industry," Minister Ferguson said. "Importantly, it includes support for national projects which align with the Strategy we launch today."
Visit www.ret.gov.au/tqual for TQUAL Grants details.
Visit www.ret.gov.au for a copy of the National Long-Term Tourism Strategy.