ATEC represents hundreds of small and medium size tourism businesses across Australia, the businesses that provide
accommodation, experiences, transport and services to our international visitors and it is clear they can see the
opportunities before them, says ATEC Managing Director, Peter Shelley.
Australia’s tourism industry needs continued strong political leadership and commitment in order to maintain its success
and grow further opportunities for the national economy, the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) Managing Director,
Peter Shelley has said ahead of tomorrow’s Federal Budget.
“This budget is a great opportunity for the Federal Government to really build on the proven strength of our tourism
industry, which is Australia’s second largest export worth more than $40 billion a year to our national economy,” Mr
Shelley said.
“It’s been 10 years since we set the course for growing our sector under the Tourism 2020 Strategy, a strategy that has
harnessed the efforts of both government and industry and has helped to deliver the excellent results we see today.
“As we enter the process of defining the next 10 year tourism strategy, it is the perfect time for the Federal Government
to invest in our industry to support us in maintaining this foothold established as a competitor in the international
tourism marketplace.
“ATEC represents hundreds of small and medium size tourism businesses across Australia, the businesses that provide
accommodation, experiences, transport and services to our international visitors and it is clear they can see the
opportunities before them.”
Mr Shelley said the industry is seeking the continuation of investment initiatives to help drive tourism infrastructure
and support the capability of our industry to deliver quality experiences for all international visitors.
“While the Government has done great work to remove some of the barriers to tourism’s growth, there remain real sticking
points that mean we are not achieving our full potential.
“It is a concern to ATEC and our members that the Government continues to offer no increase to the budget for Tourism
Australia. As the agency tasked with selling Australia’s tourism message to the world, we need to ensure its funding
remains competitive, especially as the real costs of international promotion continues to increase.”
ATEC’s pre-budget submission included a number of areas where the organisation believes the Government can support –
Australia’s tourism industry to maximise its potential as a key economic driver and a jobs generator including:
- Maintaining the Commonwealth government’s commitment to Approved Destination Status
- Continuing reforms to streamline visa application processes and the visitor experience including adopting measures
- which allow for a flexible and nimble tourism workforce
- Building capability by establishing a Growth Centre for Tourism within the Department of Industry
- Increasing the Commonwealth government’s commitment to the Export Market Development Grant scheme
- Freezing the Passenger Movement Charge at current levels
- Maintaining Tourism Research as a priority to provide an informed platform for investment and marketing decision making
- Investing in a business events plan to attract business events to Australia
- Committing to the expansion of WiFi connectivity across Australia, particularly in key tourism hot-spots
Angelos is the news editor for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). His role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy. He currently studies Communication, Media & Culture in Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens.
