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WHAT'S NEW
- New Ministerial arrangements
A new Government led by the Leader of the Australian Labor Party, the Hon Kevin Rudd MP, was sworn in by the Governor-General on 3 December 2007. Under the new administrative arrangements, the Tourism Ministry is now part of the new Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.
Major Boost For Tourism Funding
The Australian Government will invest $193.3 million in tourism over the next four years.
Funding for Tourism Australia is to be maintained at the increased level originally announced as a four year commitment in the Tourism White Paper. The $193.3 million will be used to encourage more international tourists to visit Australia and strengthen domestic tourism.
Tourism Australia will receive ongoing funding of $46.4 million a year from 2008-09, over and above Tourism Australia's base level of funding, including $4.1 million for research and statistics. A further $1.4 million a year will be made available for statistics work by other agencies such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The Government will provide $34.9 million to support regional tourism projects, especially in drought affected areas, through the Australian Tourism Development Programme (see below).
In addition, the Government has committed $15 million to complete a new sunrise viewing area for Uluru – Kata Tjuta National Park.
Tourism In Drought Affected Areas To Be Encouraged
Tourism in drought affected areas will be encouraged with a new $10 million tourism initiative over the next two years.
The Australian Tourism Development Programme (ATDP) will receive this additional funding to assist drought affected communities, with $5.0 million in 2007-08 and $5.0 million in 2008-09.
In addition, the ATDP will be extended for an additional three years with $24.9 million. In total, the Australian Government is providing an additional $34.9 million to support tourism.
The ATDP is a highly competitive merit-based grants programme that funds regional tourism projects in Australia. The ATDP is being boosted to support additional tourism projects in drought-affected areas.
(Source: http://www.industry.gov.au/ )
- Tourism Action Plan on Climate Change
A Tourism Action Plan on Climate Change is being initiated by Tourism Minister Fran Bailey to assess the impact of climate change on tourism and develop adaptation strategies in consultation with the tourism industry and State Tourism Ministers.
This initiative is a result of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) adoption of the Climate Change Adaptation Framework (328.06 Kb pdf), which identified tourism as one of the most vulnerable sectors.
The Tourism Action Plan on Climate Change will assess the impact of climate change, review best practices at home and abroad, and develop adaptation strategies.
(Source: http://www.minister.industry.gov.au)
- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2007
The Australian Government is hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in 2007.
From January to September 2007 Australia will host a series of APEC meetings focusing on areas of interest to the nation, with over 100 days of ministerial, officials-level and business-group meetings held across the country.
The APEC Australia 2007 ™ year culminates with the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting (AELM). At the conclusion of discussions, leaders will issue the APEC Economic Leaders Declaration, which will contain the shared views of leaders and set the strategic directions for APEC for the next year.
In total, 15 Australian Government agencies will take part in policy, organisational, logistics and security planning for the meetings.
(Source: http://www.apec2007.org/)
- International Workshop on Tourism Statistics
The joint United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD) / United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) workshop on tourism statistics was conducted in July 2006 in Madrid. The workshop focussed on the revision of Recommendations on Tourism Statistics (770.34 KB pdf) approved by the 27th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission in 1993 and issued jointly by the UN and the UNWTO in 1994. The revised Recommendations will be submitted to the 39th session of the Commission (March 2008) for approval. At the same session, the Commission is expected to have before it the revised text of Tourism Satellite Account: Recommended Methodological Framework(752.73 KB pdf)
(Source: http://unstats.un.org/unsd/default.htm)
WORK IN PROGRESS
- ABS Yearbook Australia 2008: Tourism Chapter
The 2008 release (the 90th edition) will represent 100 years of the ABS compiling and publishing Yearbooks - the first edition was published on 31 March 1908.
The tourism chapter has been updated to include the most recent tourism related data.
An electronic Tourism newsletter has been developed by the ABS. The Newsletter will be produced biannually, and the first issue was released in September 2007. It can be accessed using the hyperlink.
- Service Industries Survey Broad Development
The ABS’ Goods and Services National Statistics Centre has completed development of the broad specifications for the following surveys in respect of the 2007-08 financial year;
- Clubs (Hospitality)
- Pubs, Taverns & Bars
- Legal Practices
- Museums
- Public Libraries
The corresponding publications are anticipated to be released mid-2009.
During early to mid 2008, the Goods and Services National Statistics Centre will be developing broad specifications for a proposed Community Services survey, due for release in mid 2010.
The Service Industries Theme Page and Newsletter are available by following the hyperlinks.
MEDIA RELEASES
2007 (listed alphabetically)
For tourism related media releases from preceding years and recent releases, please see ABS media releases web page.
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This page first published 2 June 2006, last updated 18 February 2010 |
