**Check against delivery
Good morning ladies and gentlemen.
It gives me great pleasure to be here today and I am also pleased that ATEC has this year come to Darwin.
As a frequent visitor to the Top End I have seen the enormous changes that have taken place here over the past decade.
I hope you take advantage of the programs ATEC has organised.
I can assure first-time visitors that it's worth the stay - there are many attractions in this wonderful region, which is why almost 2.4 million visitors make it to the Territory every year.
Global Financial Crisis
Ladies and gentlemen, 2009 is shaping as a very difficult year for Australian tourism.
Only this week - with the outbreak of a flu strain which threatens to impact international tourism - we have again been reminded how external shocks can affect our sector
And of course - this outbreak comes at a very bad time.
The global recession has for many months now, caused fewer people to travel.
These are the toughest economic circumstances the world has faced for many decades.
As the Prime Minister has noted:
- 28 of the 30 most developed economies in the world are either already in recession, or have already experienced one quarter of negative economic growth.
- Seven out of ten of Australia's major trading partners are already in recession.
The Government has acknowledged that this global recession will have an impact on jobs - not only throughout Australia, but throughout all Western economies, further reducing the travel market.
Again, this will hit tourism.
The present market is particularly challenging for Australian operators dependent upon international markets.
For the first time since World War II, tourism globally is set to decline in 2009.
We are already seeing the tourism industry adjust to the conditions in which they are operating.
I understand - and I can assure you that the Australian Government understands - the challenge of the times.
Last year at the ATEC Symposium meeting in Newcastle I spoke of the need to build resilience in the tourism industry.
This theme has been picked up in this year's conference: Trading through troubled times: the journey to recovery.
I support the focus of this year's Symposium and the positive sentiments.
The recession is a global phenomenon, affecting all countries and neither Australia, nor our tourism industry, is alone.
But now is not a time for us to be talking down our industry.
My message is simple - those companies which have the foresight to prepare now for the inevitable return to global growth will be in the best position to reap the rewards of the future.
But the tourism industry is not facing these challenges alone.
The Government will help share this burden.
We have already moved to instil confidence within your sector.
Our economic stimulus packages have already dramatically increased the money flowing through our economy and anecdotal evidence suggests the tourism industry is benefiting from this.
By boosting discretionary expenditure - the Government has provided an opportunity for tourism operators to compete with the retail sector for these funds.
More importantly - this significant Government spending is maintaining both the confidence and viability of many tourism operators.
The importance of this cannot be over-stated.
It is also very important to consider the funds the Government is committing to infrastructure development. The tourism and events industries will gain from this significantly.
Only this week - my Cabinet colleague, Minister Albanese announced that the $800 Community Infrastructure Program would include:
- $10 million for Townsville's V8 Super car precinct
- $5 million for Ballarat's Eureka Centre for Democracy
- $2 million for the installation of lights at Hobart's Bellerive Oval
These projects develop new product and attractions.
More directly, the Government has initiated the No Leave - No Life campaign, which will help unlock the 123 million days of accrued leave owed to Australian workers.
And only this month I announced the Government's new Tqual grants scheme - which will provide $8.5 million to help develop a more competitive and more innovative industry.
I would encourage all of you - either as individual operators, or as industry associations - to see whether you can benefit from this new program.
Perhaps of greatest importance - is the Government's development of a Long Term Tourism Strategy.
To be finalised in the coming months, this Strategy will address the industry's supply side constraints and will focus on building resilience and capacity in the tourism industry.
It will assist in meeting the Government's objective of maximising the industry's net economic benefit and provide a framework for consistent policy engagement with industry by successive governments.
The Australian industry is a broad church - and as Minister, I have sought to bring together many voices in developing this strategy.
I am pleased to say that ATEC has a seat at the table in the development of this important framework - with Matt Hingerty included on the Steering Committee.
The role of Government is to help the industry become more competitive, more innovative, and better prepared for when growth returns.
Therefore - through this Strategy, the Government will consider long-term economic issues such as infrastructure and investment short-falls.
Export Market Development Grant Scheme
I can also assure you that the Australian Government is strongly committed to the Export Market Development Grants Scheme.
In the last financial year there were 421 grant recipients from the Tourism industry.
These recipients received $12.4 million in grants and reported exports of $611.2 million.
This is clearly - a very valuable scheme and understandably, this year has seen a 4.5% increase in the number of applications received from within the Tourism industry.
It gives me some pleasure to say that it was the Rudd Government which amended this Scheme to allow for industry associations to apply for Grants.
It should give you some pleasure to know that ATEC received a Grant following this change, which was used to fund an important 20-member trade mission to South America.
I will continue to work with my colleague Simon Crean through the Trade Portfolio, to ensure that we do our best to keep this scheme going and delivering.
Marketing - Tourism Australia
Of course, the Australian Government also has an important role to play in creating demand.
Through Tourism Australia the Government will maintain our international presence in our key markets.
 Tourism Australia spends $90 million each year selling Australia to international travellers.
And it is critically important that we maintain our presence in these markets so we are well-positioned when the market bounces back.
In the meantime, we need to ensure that we have a tourism product that tourists want:
- A product that offers value for money.
- A product that people tell their friends about.
- A product that brings people back.
- A product they can't get anywhere else
Quality is the future of Australian tourism.
China - Approved Destination Scheme
The success of this strategy can be seen in the Chinese market which has grown from practically nothing 10 years ago, into one of Australia's most lucrative markets through the Approved Destination Scheme, the ADS.
Australia is justifiably proud to be the first western country to be granted Approved Destination Status, which enables Tourism Australia to promote Australia as a leisure destination in China.
In the decade since the ADS scheme started in Australia, China has become our third-largest inbound market in terms of economic value and our fifth-largest in terms of visitor arrivals.
We understand that we cannot take this market for granted, which is why we are always looking to improve the scheme.
To do this, the Australian Government has formed the ADS Advisory Panel - and again - ATEC is a member, with a seat at the table.
Accreditation
More broadly - the Australian Government is working with industry to create a National Accreditation Framework, which will improve the quality of products and services offered to all visitors
A Joint Industry/Government Working Group was established early in 2008 to lead the process and work is well underway.
Agreement has been reached with existing owners of accreditation and ratings programs to bring them together under one umbrella program.
For such a diverse industry, I am pleased to report that we have reached consensus on an approach to integrated branding and promotion.
Conclusion
Ladies and gentlemen, we cannot hide from the current economic circumstances.
The Government recognises the significance of your industry and the 500,000 jobs it supports.
My message today is that you are not facing the current challenges alone.
I am standing with you and will continue to advocate for the tourism industry as the Government works through measures to help the Australian economy and community through this global recession.
We are increasing discretionary income.
We are encouraging more Australians to get out and see Australia.
And we are positioning Australia as an international destination of choice.
We know that Australia is well worth the trip. I can assure you that the Government will continue to play its part in ensuring the rest of the world discovers this too.