ATEC Welcomes Export Grant Budget boost

The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) has welcomed the Federal Government's announcement of a $50 million boost to the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme in the 2009/10 Federal Budget.

ATEC Managing Director Matt Hingerty said that the funding boost was welcome news for the $24 billion Australian inbound tourism industry and was fitting recognition from the Federal Government of the importance of this sector to the national economy.

Hingerty added that ATEC, along with its industry partners had fought long and hard for this additional funding through submissions to the Mortimer Inquiry and through constant dialogue with senior Federal Government ministers, and that it was an excellent result for the industry, stating "the EMDG boost will help the inbound tourism industry compete more aggressively in global markets.

"Tourism is currently caught in the storms which are rocking the global economy. However this EMDG funding boost will help the sector emerge stronger, leaner and meaner when the recovery does come.

"The additional EMDG funding will help the inbound tourism industry trade its way out of trouble. We never wanted a handout. Tourism is an industry of great entrepreneurs, who have built the sector from humble beginnings to one of Australiaâs largest export-earning industries.

"Few people realise that over 90% of the inbound tourism industry is made of small or medium-sized businesses.

"The EMDG funding boost will assist these operators to compete with cashed-up foreign operations and promote Australia as a holiday destination."

2nd April 2009 - AUSTRALIANS ENCOURAGED TO TAKE THEIR LEAVE