Regional Australia

Australia’s Regional Tourism Organisation is still “up in the air” following the release of the Government’s Visitor Economy Taskforce (VET) report, according to Tourism Industry Council NSW general manager Andrew Jefferies.

The New South Wales Government revealed the results of its VET report earlier this month; comprising strategic recommendations and action plans.

 Last year the Tourism Industry Council NSW requested the reduction and amalgamation of the Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) network.

“The release of the VET report clearly leaves the future of the regional tourism network up in the air and we are keen to learn more from the Government about its future plans in this area, including the establishment of the five visitor economy zones across NSW,” Mr Jefferies said.

While the TIC was supportive of the need for tourism infrastructure developments, it was troubled by the lack of industry independence.

“We are concerned that an over reliance on the decisions made by the elected body of a Local Government Authority may not deliver the necessary results... to support rate increases over and above the present rate pegging methods,” Mr Jefferies said.

“We agree with calls for greater leadership and collaboration between like minded Councils with a strong interest in the tourism space, however, we are also keenly aware of the competing priorities and challenges that many Local Government Authorities around the state face to remain sustainable, coupled with regular changes to political cycles and the changeover in representatives every four years.”

The TIC have shown support for a “definitive future direction” aimed at bringing together and galvanising the industry “in order to achieve the objectives of the plan to double overnight visitor expenditure into New South Wales by 2020,” Mr Jefferies added.

The New South Wales Government will consider the recommendations of the VET report and release a response this October; the Visitor Economy Industry Action Plan 2012.