4 years ago
LATEST FIGURES HIGHLIGHT NEED FOR PRIORITISING TOURISM SUPPORT
SENATOR DON FARRELL
Tourism support must be prioritised so operators are in a position to help reboot Australia’s economy as domestic travel restrictions are eased.
Overseas arrivals figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics paint a clear picture of the double blow our tourism industry has suffered in recent months.
The statistics show overseas visitor numbers plummeted by 60.3 per cent compared with the same time last year – the largest decrease on record.
These shocking figures are unfortunately still only part of the full picture because Australia’s international borders were only closed completely on 20 March.
Tourism usually contributes $100 billion to our national GDP and employs almost one million people but the sector was hit hard by last summer’s bushfires before COVID-19 measures were a factor.
The sector was one of the first and among the most heavily impacted by the necessary and appropriate restrictions on gatherings and travel put in place to protect public health.
Government support must flow to impacted tourism businesses as quickly and effectively as possible to make sure they survive and are in a position to play a big part in Australia’s recovery from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the next year and possibly beyond, domestic tourism is going to play a more important role than ever in driving local economies and, in turn, the revival of our national economy.
I encourage all Australians to help by planning holidays at home in Australia, which will support our tourism operators and the many Australian communities that rely on visitors for business and their livelihoods.
Overseas arrivals figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics paint a clear picture of the double blow our tourism industry has suffered in recent months.
The statistics show overseas visitor numbers plummeted by 60.3 per cent compared with the same time last year – the largest decrease on record.
These shocking figures are unfortunately still only part of the full picture because Australia’s international borders were only closed completely on 20 March.
Tourism usually contributes $100 billion to our national GDP and employs almost one million people but the sector was hit hard by last summer’s bushfires before COVID-19 measures were a factor.
The sector was one of the first and among the most heavily impacted by the necessary and appropriate restrictions on gatherings and travel put in place to protect public health.
Government support must flow to impacted tourism businesses as quickly and effectively as possible to make sure they survive and are in a position to play a big part in Australia’s recovery from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Over the next year and possibly beyond, domestic tourism is going to play a more important role than ever in driving local economies and, in turn, the revival of our national economy.
I encourage all Australians to help by planning holidays at home in Australia, which will support our tourism operators and the many Australian communities that rely on visitors for business and their livelihoods.