TTF say Australian tourism should be key Federal election issue

With the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures on overseas arrivals showing 8.7% growth on the previous year, the Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) believes all political parties need to be developing a strong suite of policies that will help turbo-charge what is one of the Australian economy’s top performing sectors – the visitor economy. 

The latest ABS Overseas Arrivals figures confirm that 7.7 million people travelled to Australia over the past 12 months. 

Top 10 Overseas Arrivals League Table
Country of Origin Arrivals (12 months to March 2016)

1. New Zealand - 1,318,800, up 5%
2. China -1,093,500, up 22.3%
3. UK - 705,000, up 4.7%
4. USA - 637,200, minus 2.6%
5. Singapore - 407,800, up 9.2%
6. Japan - 360,400, up 9.8%
7. Malaysia - 350,400, up 8.3%
8. South Korea - 247,200, up 16.5%
9. Hong Kong - 236,900, up 14.4%
10. India  - 231,900, up 7.7%

TTF Chief Executive Margy Osmond stated "tourism is the industry that party policies need to back in the upcoming election campaign there is no doubt about that

“The strong performance of the visitor economy has been the standout performer for the Australian economy – an industry in which double digit growth on key indicators has been the norm – and yet we are not getting the attention the industry deserves. 

“The Federal Election will be the opportunity for every political party to release a policy platform that supports the visitor economy and our goals to significantly boost its economic contribution to the nation and create thousands of more jobs. 

“TTF will be actively working during the campaign to encourage the adoption of policies that encourage more international visitors to travel to Australia by slashing the cost of visas, continuing to freeze the Passenger Movement Charge, scrapping the backpacker tax, investing in destination marketing and building the public transport and visitor infrastructure to make our cities more attractive destinations.”

7th May 2016 - TOURISM INDUSTRY DISAPPOINTED BY BACKPACKER TAX RETENTION

4th May 2016 - LEISURE WINNERS AND LOSERS IN THE FEDERAL BUDGET

3rd May 2016 - TOURISM GROWTH EXCEEDS OVERALL EXPANSION OF THE AUSTRALIAN ECONOMY

16th March 2016 - AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW CONTROVERSIAL BACKPACKER TAX

12th March 2016 - TTF REVEALS PLAN FOR TOURISM TO ‘TURBOCHARGE’ THE AUSTRALIAN ECONOMY

8th March 2016 - TOURISM REPRESENTATIVES HIGHLIGHT VALUE OF THE VISITOR ECONOMY TO GOVERNMENT