Coronavirus: Peak tourism body calls for industry funding to be doubled

Australia’s peak tourism body has demanded the Federal Government puts up a massive $152 million to save the business in the wake of body blows from bushfires and coronavirus.

AUSTRALIA’S peak tourism body has demanded the Federal Government double its industry rescue package in the wake of bushfires and coronavirus to an astonishing $152 million.

The double-whammy has seen the Gold Coast’s biggest industry brought to its knees, with tour groups cancelling bookings and travellers staying away.

The Australian Tourism Industry Council has written to the Federal government calling for a doubling of its already promised $76 million tourism recovery package.

Tourism has been hit hard by the Coronavirus crisis. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)

They argue the drop in Chinese visitor expenditure delivers a monthly $1 billion “blow to the Australian visitor economy”.

The proposed ATIC program to combat coronavirus includes an international marketing campaign, small business support, regional events and resilience building measures.

The State Government previously announced a $2 million state wide campaign to assist businesses suffering from the downturn.

Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista called for urgent state intervention via a $5 million cash injection for the industry but said there had been no progress on securing it.

“It is a shame the Gold Coast has not heard from the state after I called for the urgent need for support,” she said.

Annaliese Battista. Picture: Mike Batterham

“Tourism businesses are suffering the most and the Gold Coast is the titan of this industry.

“We would expected that the Premier and government would make us a priority.

“I expect an announcement in the order of $10 million and some rates relief for businesses.

“I have been in constant contact with the Minister’s office throughout this crisis. We want her to come to the Coast and we expect she will do so with an announcement ready.”

Destination Gold Coast held crisis talks with state and federal governments last week lobbying for urgent financial intervention to keep the city’s $6 billion industry afloat.

Opposition Tourism spokesman David Crisafulli said the state and federal government should “stem the bleeding’.

“All levels of government need to put their shoulders to the wheel,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“Tourism leaders met last week hoping that it would be the circuit breaker and stem the bleeding, but nothing has been announced.

“The tourism industry on the Gold Coast and Cairns will be knocked to their knees if we don’t bring an aggressive marketing campaign immediately. The Gold Coast and Cairns are ground zero when it comes to the impact on the failing Chinese market.”

Mr Crisafulli said the state government should not wait for action from the Federal government to intervene.

“The Gold Coast has seen massive drops in their numbers over the past week,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“Gold Coasters are aspirational people that generally don’t ask for much but right now the area needs cash not cuddles.

“We need targeted campaigns devised locally, not a one-size-fits-all approach out of Brisbane.”

Mr Crisafulli said he would also like to see economic relief for operators and airline support.

Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the federal government was looking to “recalibrate campaign activities” from the record budget provided to Tourism Australia to help with the issues.

He would not confirm if the government was considering doubling the $76 million fund.

Early estimates suggest the coronavirus outbreak could cost the Gold Coast $40 million as the Chinese market weakens, but this number is expected to grow.

The outbreak has affected 28 countries and killed more than 910 people, with at least 40,000 confirmed cases.

Five people have been found infected by the condition on the Gold Coast and are in isolation.

Both the state and federal Tourism Ministers have been contacted for comment.