Tourism Australia reassesses as Qantas severs ties
Tourism Australia will undertake a review of marketing initiatives planned with Qantas, as the airline confirmed it will pull funding from the tourism body.
Qantas has accused the tourism body’s chairman, Geoff Dixon, of involvement with a syndicate that is “actively canvassing” fundamental change to the group’s strategy, including its proposed tie-up with Emirates.
“Qantas cannot continue to collaborate with an agency whose chairman is a member of a syndicate committed to unravelling Qantas’s structure and direction,” a statement from the airline said.
However, it insisted it “remains committed” to supporting Australian tourism, saying it will instead provide financial support for tourism marketing of Australia through state tourism bodies.
“Not one dollar will be removed from tourism marketing as a consequence of this decision."
Meanwhile, TA managing director Andrew McEvoy pointed out that its board reports to federal tourism minister, Martin Ferguson, with a “strong governance framework” in place.
While the board will consider the suspension of Qantas funding later today, McEvoy said both parties will continue to cooperate on January project G’Day LA/G’Day USA and the Australian Tourism Exchange to be held in Sydney in April. Other programs will be reviewed, he confirmed.
“Qantas is the longest-standing marketing partner of Tourism Australia, and both organisations have worked for decades in a professional, collaborative and overwhelmingly supportive manner, all in the common best interest of Australian tourism,” McEvoy said.
He underlined the tourism body’s commitment to working with key tourism partners globally, including 20 airlines, state and territory tourism organisations and over 400 other industry players, to drive tourism demand for Australia.
The current partnership deal is due to expire on June 30.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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