Australian Tourism Industry Council Executive Director Simon Westaway says the slow reopening and “narrow” stimulus for the aviation sector has left the tourism industry “on the sidelines”.
As part of the federal government’s $1.2 billion stimulus package 800,000 discounted airline tickets will be made available to Australians in a bid to restore the tourism, travel and aviation industries.
The “great stress” on the tourism industry was “exacerbated” first by the closure of international and domestic borders in response to COVID-19, and then by the slow reopening, according to Mr Westaway.
“Whilst the government has been meritorious in trying to find some stimulatory approaches the difficulty is it’s too narrow and it’s actually left on the sidelines the tourism product,” he said.
Mr Westaway told Sky News cheap airfares “get people excited” but it remains to be seen whether the stimulus will convert to “ongoing economic benefit”.
“We reall
11 Mar 2021
After much anticipation, the federal government has finally released the details of its new $1.2 billion support package for Australia’s tourism industry.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that while Australia’s economy had recovered 85 per cent of its fall from COVID-19, the next step in the government’s National Economic Recovery Plan would target the businesses, workers and regions still doing it tough.
Morrison said the package’s mix of half-price airline tickets, cheap loans for businesses and direct support to keep planes in the air, and airline workers in their jobs, would be a bridge to a more normal way of life for Aussies.
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The Federal Government has announced extra support for the tourism industry which has been hit hard by COVID-19.
The package includes thousands of half price airfares to key tourism destinations, plus low interest loans and extensions of other financial supports.
Will it be enough to salvage struggling businesses and get us travelling again?
Guests:
Doug Sprigg, owner of Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary, Finders Ranges, SA
Sonjha Forbes, general manager TNQ for Entrada Travel Group, Cairns
Duration: 20min 44sec
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