Domestic tourism not "sold well" at home

Domestic tourism not "sold well" at home
By admin


Increasing domestic market share will be at the top of the agenda at the Australian Regional Tourism Convention, which kicks off today in Port Stephens.

Australia Regional Tourism, network chairman, David Sheldon, told ABC news domestic travel needed to be promoted by all levels of Government, if expected to reach its tourism 2020 goal.

"If Australia wants to reach its goal of doubling the overnight expenditure by 2020 I think regional Australia and domestic travel is the key to that," Sheldon said.

"Encouraging more people to discover what's in their backyard.

"If we look at Australia we have the world in our own coastline, we just don't sell it well at home."

Sheldon blamed Australia’s airline industry for hampering growth in regional tourism, referring to the cost of domestic travel as “not inexpensive”.

"It's a very contentious issue considering when you look around the vastness of our nation and some of our airports and some of the planes that can actually land at different airports around Australia, in regional Australia I should say, and the cost,” Sheldon told the ABC.

"The cost to travel around regional Australia by air is not inexpensive."

The four-day Convention is expected to draw hundreds of tourism industry officials to Port Stephens, adding a $150,000 boost to the local economy.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Latest News

  • Aviation

Virgin Australia says suspended flights to Bali result of Boeing MAX delays

Virgin Australia has blamed the delayed delivery of ten Boeing MAX planes for the cancellation of its direct flights between Adelaide and Bali. The route is expected to relaunch on 9 June with the arrival Virgin’s latest batch of Boeing aircraft. Adelaide travellers can still make their way to Bali, although the trip will now […]

  • Aviation
  • Luxury

Airline Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class – A380-800

Join me on my personal review of the iconic Singapore Airlines’ A380-800 business class cabin. Singapore Airlines is renowned for its luxurious and spacious seating in any class, it’s sleek and fine interior reflects a sophisticated yet relaxed charm, promising instant luxury the minute you board. The configuration in business class is 1, 2, 1 […]

  • Aviation

South African Airways to relaunch Joburg – Perth flights as economic ties strengthen

South African Airways will fly across the Indian Ocean for the first time since the pandemic today when the first of its relaunched Johannesburg to Perth flights touches down today. The South African Airways flights will connect 40,000 more passengers per year in each direction, between Perth and Johannesburg using Airbus A340-300s. Flight Centre Corporate […]

  • Partner Content

My journey: Before becoming a travel agent I was… a palliative care nurse 

Australind Travel & Cruise, Travellers Choice member Saibra Twigg reveals her life as paediatric nurse then to palliative care before a career leap to travel agent. How did you become a palliative care nurse?  ST I went straight from school in nursing and initially specialised in paediatrics, working at Perth’s Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. […]

Partner Content

by Travel Weekly

Travel Weekly
  • Aviation

Emirates unveils future plans with new hub at Al Maktoum International Airport

Emirates has unveiled a glimpse of its future with the news of a new base at  Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai overnight. Also referred to as the Dubai World Central, the airport is undergoing an AUD $53.3b refurbishment. Once complete, it will become the city’s main international hub with five parallel runways and 400 […]

  • Destinations
  • News

APT Launches 2025 Asia Adventures

APT has launched its Asia Adventures for 2025, including new luxury holidays in India, Sri Lanka and Japan. Five new tours lead guests to the highlights of India, including a seven-night cruise along the rarely travelled Lower Ganges aboard the Ganges Voyager. Further south, Sri Lanka’s greatest destinations are revealed on a new 15-day Land […]

  • Cruise
  • Luxury
  • News

Seabourn announces Western Kimberley Traditional Owners as Godparents of Seabourn Pursuit

Seabourn has named Western Kimberley Traditional Owners, the Wunambal Gaambera, as Godparents of the ultra-luxury purpose-built Seabourn Pursuit. It is the first cruise line to appoint Traditional Owners as godparents of a ship. Seabourn Pursuit embarks on its inaugural season in the Kimberley region this June. The naming ceremony will take place on Seabourn Pursuit’s […]