Tourism advocates join forces for a stronger industry

portrait of a angry group of employees shouting using megaphones against a city background
By Kate Webster


A historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between The Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) and the Australian Regional Tourism Network (ARTN) that will support a closer partnership and a stronger voice for the tourism industry with government, especially in our regional and remote destinations.

The MOU was signed by TTF CEO Margy Osmond and ARTN Chair David Sheldon in Sydney, formalising the strong partnership between the two organisations on behalf of their diverse industry memberships.

TTF CEO Margy Osmond said the MOU is about bringing business in the tourism sector closer together to advocate and achieve positive reforms that support growth of the sector.

“We have formally agreed to work collaboratively on projects, policy and advocacy outcomes to the mutual benefit of our members – we have now put in place a formal agreement of what we have long done in practice.

“Tourism is not only a large employer across all of Australia, but is also a vital economic development driver for our cities and regions. In the year ending December 15, visitors spent $43.9 million in our regions – this figure is too significant for our politicians to ignore, especially in the midst of an election campaign,” Osmond added.

David Sheldon, Chair of the ARTN, said the MOU would “be a boost to regional tourism operators by utilising the resources and expertise of the two organisations together on major projects and campaigns of mutual interest.”

“While making sure our cities are great places to visit, it is just as important to ensure we have thriving and accessible regional destinations as tourism is often the lifeblood of many of these regional and remote communities.

Both parties agree a strong tourism sector means the industry is to speak with an unified voice on the positive reforms to get the government to listen.

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