Labor makes election pledge for additional tourism funding

Australian Labor has announced it will invest an additional $48 million to support the tourism industry recovery if elected at this weekend’s Federal election.

The proposed package includes $8 million to help small businesses through the Quality Tourism Framework, which enables small tourism businesses to develop high-quality sustainable, eco-friendly, accessible and internationally-targeted tourism product.

Indicating that the funding was well-targeted to help small and regional tourism businesses adapt to changing markets and workforce needs, Australian Tourism Industry Council (ATEC) Chair, Evan Hall stated “the tourism industry was one of the first affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the industry continues to feel the impact of more than two years of ongoing restrictions.

“This funding will provide mentoring, support and programs to assist new tourism businesses start up and develop new tourism product to meet the market.

“Labor’s election commitment is consistent with the priorities identified by the Australian Tourism Industry Council, including regulatory reform, new infrastructure, events and attracting key workers.”

ATEC also welcomed the announcement, saying it will support businesses in reconnecting with their international markets and in rebuilding their workforce, with Hall adding “the industry will welcome these new initiatives announced by the Labor Party today and will put the funding to good use in rebuilding our $45bn export tourism economy.

“Workforce strain has been a long-term issue for the industry and right now it is even more critical as tourism businesses try to reinstate the huge number of skilled and unskilled staff who exited the industry with Covid lockdowns that closed operations.

“We also have a huge challenge in reconnecting our export tourism businesses with their international markets and rebuilding confidence in travel to Australia and this additional marketing funding for the export sector will help.”

The current Federal Government committed $60 Million in additional tourism funds in the recent Federal budget.