Calls for new Tourism Minister to take bolder leadership stride

Cheering young couple takes a selfie portrait on the road standing next to a kangaroo warning sign, Australia.

With 1 in 8 businesses in tourism, there’s been renewed calls for the government to back the sector.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry National Tourism Council has urged newly stated Tourism Minister Steve Ciobo to make tourism a “policy priority” after latest data revealed 13% of Australian businesses are involved in tourism which contributed an increase of 18% in the national GDP over four years.

Tourism Research Australia on Monday released Tourism Businesses in Australia, June 2011 to June 2015, which showed Australia’s tourism industry comprised around 273,500 businesses a year ago, out of 2.1 million businesses in Australia. The sector contributed $47.5 billion to the economy in 2014-15, compared to $40.3 billion in 2010-11, the research showed.

“These figures highlight the importance of the visitor economy to future employment and prosperity. Across the four years of the study visitor spending rose and international tourism boomed,” Steve Whan, Manager of the Australian Chamber’s National Tourism Council said.

“The fall in the number of smaller businesses, partly offset by a rise in the number of medium and larger businesses, is a sign of structural change in the sector and also shows its sensitivity to market and competitive pressures.

“We know from figures released earlier this month that the visitor economy is on track to be one of Australia’s biggest export earners by 2025, creating jobs for many Australians,” Whan said.

According to Whan, the owners and staff of the 273,500 businesses in tourism “are working hard in a competitive environment” and they would be able to achieve more if the government were to make tourism a “policy priority”.

“The tourism sector is looking for leadership from Steve Ciobo and Keith Pitt as minister and assistant minister. We are also looking for a positive agenda from Anthony Albanese as Shadow Tourism Minister.

“Given the importance of tourism for jobs and small business, the sector is seeking action to fix the backpacker tax, accelerate tourist visa reform and reassurance on outbound ticket taxes.

“The National Tourism Council represents the tens of thousands of tourism businesses in the Australian Chamber member network, Australia’s leading and largest business network. We look forward to working constructively with the Government and Opposition to ensure Australia retains its competitive edge.”

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