4 years ago
TOURISM SECTOR NEEDS CERTAINTY AROUND ONGOING SUPPORT
SENATOR DON FARRELL
The Morrison Government must provide greater certainty for Australia’s devastated tourism industry in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic’s unprecedented impact.
Australian Bureau of Statistics Overseas Arrivals and Departures figures released this week show the sector officially flat-lined in April, with a not unexpected but no less alarming 99.7 per cent drop off compared with April 2019.
While we knew this was coming as a result of the necessary border closures put in place to stop the spread of coronavirus, today’s statistics highlight the very real and ongoing challenge facing tourism businesses.
Increased domestic travel as restrictions ease and state borders open will help some operators but will be of limited benefit to those focused on the international market.
Tourism businesses and peak bodies have made it clear that they need to know what targeted support will be available to the sector when JobKeeper ends.
The tourism sector supports 300,000 businesses and over one million jobs Australia wide.
It is unrealistic to expect such a large and important sector to simply snap-back come September 28, particularly when it is expected that most international borders will remain closed beyond that time.
Tourism businesses deserve certainty about what help they can expected as they navigate the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is well past time for mere hints of direct support.
The Morrison Government must be transparent about what they plan to do to ensure Australia’s vital tourism sector survives the pandemic fall-out and rebounds to continue its significant and valuable contributions to Australian jobs and our economy.
Australian Bureau of Statistics Overseas Arrivals and Departures figures released this week show the sector officially flat-lined in April, with a not unexpected but no less alarming 99.7 per cent drop off compared with April 2019.
While we knew this was coming as a result of the necessary border closures put in place to stop the spread of coronavirus, today’s statistics highlight the very real and ongoing challenge facing tourism businesses.
Increased domestic travel as restrictions ease and state borders open will help some operators but will be of limited benefit to those focused on the international market.
Tourism businesses and peak bodies have made it clear that they need to know what targeted support will be available to the sector when JobKeeper ends.
The tourism sector supports 300,000 businesses and over one million jobs Australia wide.
It is unrealistic to expect such a large and important sector to simply snap-back come September 28, particularly when it is expected that most international borders will remain closed beyond that time.
Tourism businesses deserve certainty about what help they can expected as they navigate the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It is well past time for mere hints of direct support.
The Morrison Government must be transparent about what they plan to do to ensure Australia’s vital tourism sector survives the pandemic fall-out and rebounds to continue its significant and valuable contributions to Australian jobs and our economy.