The Australian Chamber - Tourism, the national peak body of Australian tourism organisations supports Labor's Tourism Policy announced yesterday evening.
The policy responds directly to a number of initiatives that the Australian Chamber - Tourism has been calling for in the lead up to the election.
At the recent Australian Chamber Labor Friends of Tourism panel discussion, hosted by Josh Wilson MP, the focus was the importance of Business Events to the tourism sector and the Australian economy broadly.
The Australian Chamber-Tourism highlighted the critical importance of the sector and the need for better data and improved business events infrastructure, to support the growth of the sector.
"Labor's policy announcement is a clear and direct response to these issues for which the Australian Chamber-Tourism and industry has long advocated for," John Hart, Executive Chair of Australian Chamber-Tourism, said today.
"As a member of the Beyond Tourism 2020 working group, I am pleased to see Labor commit to addressing the board range of issues raised by the Beyond Tourism 2020 Steering Committee, including the Tourist Refund Scheme and Passenger Facilitation.
"Addressing these issues will be essential to ensuring Australia's tourism sector remains strong, well into the future.
"The Australian Chamber - Tourism has also been calling for a more strategic relationship between Government and Industry. Labor's commitment to increase engagement between Government and industry, if elected, is therefore appreciated.
"Recognition of the importance of port and visitor infrastructure for the cruise sector is welcome.
"The Australian Chamber-Tourism has been instrumental in obtaining representation for the cruise sector given its vital and growing presence in Australia.
"The package of measures in Labor's policy demonstrates a strategic approach to addressing issues the Australian Chamber- Tourism has pursued with the Opposition over a number of years."
