TTF Media Release

Thursday 1 October 2020

MONEY FOR GREAT OUTDOORS SERIOUS BOOST FOR TOURISM RECOVERY

Today’s announcement of a $61.7 million Federal Government tourism and environmental package is great news for the tourism industry and regional communities right around Australia.

“This new investment includes $33.5 million towards a range of tourism boosting projects right around the country which will significantly improve our visitor economy offering,” Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) CEO Margy Osmond said.

“These projects include walking track upgrades in Northern NSW, water crossings in South-Western Victoria, new mountain bike trails in Northern Queensland, hiking hut upgrades in remote Tasmania and heritage work in South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula and the NT’s Hermannsburg historic precinct.

“We know that nature-based tourism is a major drawcard for many Australians as interstate borders ideally continue to reopen in the leadup to Christmas. These investments are critical right now to prepare for the return of domestic tourists hungry for a slice of Aussie nature and landscapes.

“While demand will return as Aussies seek to escape cabin fever, our research shows us that we are still thinking twice when booking plane tickets. Over the past six months we have largely been choosing to use our own cars when travelling and are choosing destinations within four hours driving distance of our homes.

“Intrastate travel is important, but a lack of any real interstate travel options combined with this lack of traveller confidence, threatens the ongoing survival of our aviation industry and inhibits a full-scale recovery in the domestic market.

“It is critical that Government help to re-establish traveller confidence and convert pent up demand into actual travel bookings via a dedicated $50 million ‘COVID Safe Domestic Travel Campaign’, one of the key recommendations in our TTF Budget Submission ahead of next Tuesday night.”

The $61.7 million joint package announced by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Environment Minister Sussan Ley and Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham also includes $20 million for Great Barrier Reef conservation work, a $5 million upgrade to the Reef HQ tourism facility in Townsville and $3.2 million in support for tourism operators to conduct reef monitoring activity.

Ends.

Contact: TTF Manager Policy & Government Relations Lindsay Hermes 0418 948 447 lhermes@ttf.org.au