AUSTRALIA | Tourism has been the saving grace for regional economies across Australia according to recent data and research.
Data released has shown the strength of local and regional tourism industry across Australia, supporting more businesses, more jobs and more opportunities for locals in regional areas.
New data released by Austrade Tourism Research Australia has highlighted the economic value of tourism grew in 97 percent of the country’s regions between 2022 and 2023, with more than half of regional communities seeing growth of above 50 percent on the previous year.
Minister for Tourism Don Farrell said It is clear that tourism has continued to be the lifeblood of Australian regions, with the sector directly accounting for 6.7 percent of jobs versus 2.9 percent in capital cities.
Regions that have benefited the most include Kangaroo Island in South Australia, where tourism revenue has accounted for 27 percent of the region’s local economy and 38 percent of all jobs on the island.
Phillip Island in Victoria saw revenue accounting for 18 percent of the region’s local economy and 30 percent of all jobs on the island.
Tourism in Queensland’s Whitsundays accounted for 12 percent of the region’s local economy and 22 percent of all jobs.
The Albanese Government has pushed for workers, businesses, and communities across every part of Australia to benefit from tourism, and the investment it brings.
“We continue to support this crucial industry across Australia, including in our regions,” said senator Farrell.
“We have supported significant upgrades to affordable accommodation in regional Australia through our AUD $10 million Caravan Parks Grants Program, which has enabled operators to improve their facilities and amenities to attract more visitors.”
In addition, round one of the Government’s Growing Regions Programme has allocated more than AUD $116 million in tourism-related funding for community and economic infrastructure projects across regional and rural Australia.
Farrell said that the Government will continue to deliver its national strategy for the growth of the tourism sector as a whole, which will include targets for visitor spend, specifically in regional Australia.
“I encourage Australians to continue to get out and explore our magnificent country, knowing that not only will you have a great experience, but that you are also contributing to the creation of more jobs and opportunities in our communities.”
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