AFTA & CATO respond to Ministers’ plan to rebuild tourism sector

AFTA & CATO respond to Ministers’ plan to rebuild tourism sector

Australia’s tourism peak bodies have voiced their support for a government plan to return the visitor economy to pre-COIVD levels of $166 billion by 2024.

Tourism ministers from across the political spectrum came together in Adelaide yesterday for the Tourism Ministers’ Meeting (TMM), hosted by Federal Tourism Minister Don Farrell and South Australian Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison.

The Ministers agreed on a collaborative plan to rebuild the industry in the coming 12-18 months with a focus on  insurance, sustainability, Indigenous tourism, tourism in national parks and accessible tourism.

The plan will work to address challenges in the aviation sector, rebuild the workforce, speed up mutual recognition of tourism qualifications and ensure tourism training is included in fee-free TAFE programs.

The group promised to stand with the sector and help it rebuild so more than 300,000 mostly small businesses that rely on the visitor economy can thrive.

This commitment extends to the longer term as well by backing Australia’s national strategy for the visitor economy, THRIVE 2030, which seeks to grow expenditure to $230 billion by 2030, while achieving a regional spending target of $100 billion.

“We all understand that a healthy tourism workforce and industry go hand in hand and are crucial to Australia’s economy,” said federal Tourism Minister Don Farrell.

“The industry is bouncing back strongly, but there is work to do.

“There is no silver bullet, but by working together and empowering key stakeholders we are mapping a way forward that will benefit all Australians and the broader economy.”

Dean Long, CEO of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) said the results of the meeting were a big positive and he looks forward to hearing the government’s plans beyond 2030.

“It’s great to have a government that shows its support for the travel industry,” Long said.

“Thrive 2030 is the first federal strategy to realise the importance of a vibrant and successful inbound industry.

“It’s also great to see travel management have a strong voice within the 2030 strategy with [Corporate Travel Management CEO] Laura Ruffles on the Thrive 2030 implementation group.”

The Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO) has also voiced its support for the outcome, with managing director Brett Jardine welcoming the collaborative workplan.

Jardine said the government recognised the value (more than AUD$12 billion) that outbound leisure travel delivers to the Australian economy and remains engaged with CATO around challenges faced by the industry.


Image: Facebook/SenatorDonFarrell

Latest News

  • 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 […]

  • Luxury

Malolo Island Resort opens brand new Spa

Fiji’s Malolo Island has added another string to its bow – opening its $1.3 million day spa on Thursday, 18th April 2024. (Lead Image: matriarch Rosie Whitton with spa staff) Located at the edge of the resort’s luscious patch of tropical rainforest, the new “Leilani’s Spa” adds another level of elevated experiences to Malolo’s already […]