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The Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP, delivered an upbeat assessment of business conditions to industry representatives at the Tourism, Hospitality & Catering Institute President’s Dinner in Sydney.
Minister Ferguson said: “Resilience to a financial shock – or any kind of shock – requires considered and decisive intervention.
“Throughout the downturn, Australian tourism operators have offered a distinctive product, while the Australian Government has provided targeted stimulus payments, infrastructure spending and tax changes.
“Restaurant and Catering Australia estimate at least $80 million was injected into the sector from economic stimulus payments.
“In the restaurant and catering sector alone, total business turnover increased by more than seven per cent – or $1.3 billion – through the first half of this year, with 32,000 new jobs created.
“Throughout 2009, the Government has boosted discretionary spending, while industry has embraced the ‘No Leave No Life’ campaign, which was launched in March.
“I have been very pleased to see Tourism Australia and 94 partner organisations invest almost $4 million to separate hard-working Australians from their 123 million days of accrued leave. Domestic tourism constitutes around 75% of the Australian industry and converting even a small proportion of this accumulated leave into a local holiday will have a very positive impact to Australian tourism operators.”
The latest overseas arrivals and departures figures showed a 9 per cent increase in arrivals in September 09 with nine of Australia’s top ten markets higher than the same time last year. Holiday travel rose a healthy 10.4 per cent and business arrivals continued to reflect a cautionary approach declining by 5.4 per cent.
“Working together, we have created opportunities and resilience,” Minister Ferguson said. “If our resilience in the face of a global economic downturn teaches us anything, it’s the importance of quality products and services characterised by innovation and assisted by timely, targeted stimulus.”
Media contact: Michael Bradley – 0420 371 744