Aussie domestic travel 'dying out': Charters

Australian domestic travel is suffering as more Australians take advantage of the high value of the dollar to holiday overseas, a survey by Roy Morgan Research has found.

With local expenditure down 8% from 2001, Tony Charters, convenor of the upcoming national Tourism and Events Excellence conference, said the downward trend was more concerning than the carbon tax.

Charters explained that "research on younger consumers indicates the future will see the current customer base continue to erode, with Australia's domestic clientele literally dying out."

Calling for a "radical repositioning of Australian tourism", Charters said the country needed to "recalibrate for the 21st century" by focusing on "more targeted and sophisticated" ideas such as city-based tourism, short breaks and niche products.

"Australia is not, and never will be, a cheap destination, regardless of exchange rate fluctuations," Charters added.

"The industry needs to focus on excellence - ensuring we provide high quality experiences and events, whether it is for backpackers, the business sector, ecotourism or James Packer's high rollers."

The inaugural Tourism and Events Excellence conference will be held from 5th to 7th September in Melbourne, the only Australian tourist destination - along with Victoria - performing well, according to Roy Morgan Research.

Charters concluded "pursuing excellence is critical to generating profits and moving forward, and that's what this conference is focussing on."

For more information on the Tourism and Events Excellence conference contact 07 3012 9575, E: secretariat@teeconference.com, www.teeconference.com/

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