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Some Good News In Budget for Tourism
08 May 2018 | Archive
The Australian Chamber – Tourism welcomes measures in the Federal Budget 2018 that support tourism growth.
Executive Chair, John Hart said “the Government has invested in infrastructure with particular support for tourism projects, as well as improving access for tourists through the continuation of the approved destination status with China and seeking better cruise berthing options for Sydney.”
“The Federal Government has recognised that tourism is a major jobs generator particularly in regional Australia by providing $45.0 million to improve tourism-related infrastructure, supporting demand driven projects that ensure the benefits of Government investment can be multiplied across the tourism sector in the regions.”
“It was also pleasing to see that the Government is willing to tackle the inequity in relation to the application of the GST that has existed between hotel rooms sold on overseas internet sites and hotel rooms purchased locally. Previously both Australians and international tourists purchasing on internet sites based overseas were not paying GST, whereas if they purchased them locally they were charged the GST. The Federal Government will seek agreement from the States, needed for all GST related matters, to charge the overseas-based on line service provider.”
“Of benefit to tourism is also that there has been some path forward set in this year’s Budget to ensure that the Skilling Australians Fund, which when announced last year to grow apprenticeships and traineeships, is funded with greater certainty and implemented as soon as possible. There is a need to urgently address the skills needs for tourism and this fund has a critical role to play.”
“One area of some disappointment was that there was no confirmation of a Growth Centre for tourism. Indeed, the Budget appears to claw back the underspend in this part of the Industry portfolio. In our view it would have been well spent on establishing a Tourism Growth Centre and analysing the potential areas for further growth within one of the country’s main growth industries.”