ATEC calls for improved industry research
The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) has conceded that the departure tax is never likely to be reduced but said money from it should fund better research in the industry.
ATEC managing director Felicia Mariani will step up calls for the creation of a research and development fund and, in a separate move, will make renewed efforts to overhaul Australia’s Working Holiday Visa (WHV) program.
Mariani said research and analysis is sorely lacking in Australia, leaving hoteliers, potential investors and airlines blind to the performance of industry sectors.
“We lost a quarterly survey of larger accommodation in Australia last year and at the end of June we also lost the survey of accommodation with less than 15 rooms,” she told Travel Today.
The research, which measured occupancy and yields, gave insights which helped the industry plan infrastructure developments and investment, she said.
It also provided information to airlines “about where they should point their aircraft”.
“We welcomed the government’s commitment not to increase the Passenger Movement Charge (PMC) in its first term, that was good news, and it would be na√Øve to think the PMC will be reduced as it contributes too much to consolidated revenue,” Mariani said. “But more should be given back to the industry in the form of a research and development fund."
Meanwhile, hopes of reform of the WHV have risen after Scott Morrison, a former managing director of Tourism Australia, was handed the immigration portfolio in the new Abbott administration.
Mariani described him as a “champion” of the industry.
“We’ll be working hard to advance changes to the Working Holiday Visa,” she said.
Among the major reforms demanded by ATEC include adding tourism to the list of industries which qualify visa holders for a second year extension, increasing the maximum age of who can apply from 30-35 and allowing people to obtain a second WHV.
“In Scott Morrison we have someone who understands the industry and who understands the potential for growth in the youth sector,” Mariani said.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
atec felicia mariani pmc scott morrison whvLatest News
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