The strength of the Australian dollar remains the pinnacle concern of Australia’s tourism operators, the most recent edition of the TTF-MasterCard Tourism Industry Sentiment Survey has found.
With the dollar averaging US103.9 cents throughout the quarter – making it costlier for international visitors coming to Australia and less expensive for Australians to travel internationally – it’s no surprise the exchange rate remains the tourism industry’s primary concern.
However, with the date of the federal election announced during quarter one among 2013 – the period to which the survey applies – the survey also notes rising concern about government policies affecting the sphere.
TTF chief executive Ken Morrison said various policy frameworks affect tourism.
“Taxes and fees on tourists are ranked because the second biggest impediment to tourism operators, while government support to win business events bids is ranked third,” Morrison said.
“While the industry understands that government has negligible control over the exchange rate, governments do determine fees and costs levied on visitors and the extent of support provided for business events bids.
“The TTF-MasterCard Tourism Industry Sentiment Survey notes an increasing appetite to place tourism at the public and political agenda inside the lead as much as September’s federal election, in addition to continuing concern about labour shortages – both skilled and unskilled.
“The survey also shows that two thirds of respondents identify an absence of convention and exhibition space and the adequacy of land transport links to airports as having a medium to high impact on their business.
“These are areas through which government policy could make an important difference through investment admired-driving infrastructure, helping to secure business events which are a magnet for high-yield visitors, and reforming policy frameworks to aid fill the estimated 36,000 tourism job vacancies nationwide.
“With greater than half one million direct jobs nationwide and spending by tourists of $107 billion a year, the tourism industry deserves a prominent place at the national agenda within the lead as much as September’s federal election.”
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