Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said “it is fair to call this the biggest shock that global aviation has ever experienced!” and from ATIC’s perspective simply insert ‘Australian tourism’ into the same sentence – for it reflects the same outcome.
The industry employs some 1 million Australians, through 300,000 local businesses, the vast majority small or micro enterprises and many situated in our regions. Collectively, the tourism industry continues to deliver an outstanding visitor offering that underpins Australia’s $150 billion visitor economy.
Australian Tourism Industry Council Executive Director, Simon Westaway, said “the economic abyss facing our tourism industry as a result of COVID-19 is now so patently clear.
“All are necessary public health policies to work to contain and, in time, defeat COVID-19, but they are further nails into our industry, driving tens of thousands of our tourism enterprises as well as major airline, transport, accommodation and experience businesses to the financial brink. Collectively our industry can take little more.”
ATIC welcomes the understanding that a major Federal Government rescue package is being considered that will be directly targeted to help better protect tourism enterprises, including Australian airlines, and to save jobs across the visitor economy – from tourism, hospitality and aviation sectors.
“These are unprecedented times. The horror movie that’s unfolded for Australian tourism is one we recognise government is watching, and we anticipate and welcome it now looking to act to even better support. This is in the best and right interest for all Australians,” Westaway said.
