TOURISM 2020 NEWS ISSUE 10, JULY 2014 TOURISM MINISTERS’ MEETING -11 JULY 2014 TOURISM MINISTERS’ MEETING JULY 2014 Austrade Quarterly Tourism Minister Andrew Robb AO Newsletter MP, hosted the Tourism HIGHLIGHTS Ministers’ Meeting in TOURISM MINISTER’S MEETING Melbourne on 11 July 2014. Tourism Ministers’ Meeting Page 1 Ministers discussed Tourism 2020 Implementation Plan Tourism 2020 and the game 2014 BUDGET changing reforms needed Key Budget Outcomes for Tourism Page 2 ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT AND IMPLEMENT to meet the Tourism 2020 REGULATORY REFORM potential. Northern Australia Investment Forum 2015

Minister Robb and the New Tourism: A National Investment Priority Minister Andrew Robb with New Zealand's Associate Tourism Zealand's Associate LABOUR, SKILLS & INDIGENOUS PARTICIPATION Minister Todd McClay at the Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Tourism Minister Todd Chefs on the Skilled Occupation List Page 3 Melbourne with the ICC Cricket World Cup McClay MP discussed ways Launch of MPPI Tourism Employment Plan Australia and New Zealand can work together to maximise the tourism Sydney Tourism Employment Plan opportunities stemming from the ICC World Cup 2015 tournament. Minister Greece - Work and Holiday Arrangement ACCREDITATION Robb said the streamlined visa arrangements between the Australian and New Zealand Governments allows international visitors attending the World Tourism Industry Quality Standards Continue Page 4 TOURISM DEMAND-DRIVER INFRASTRUCTURE Cup the convenience of applying for a visa only once in order to be granted PROGRAMME entry into both countries. Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure Programme "This is a major international sporting event which will bring major benefits TOURISM RESEARCH for our tourism and hospitality sectors," he said. Fourteen cities across Research Update Page 5 Australia and New Zealand will host 49 ICC Cricket World Cup matches over TOURISM AUSTRALIA February and March of 2015 and all of these cities will benefit from a major Restaurant Australia Campaign influx of international visitors. Tourism Australia Board

TOURISM MINISTERS’ MEETING - TOURISM 2020 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (2015-2020) UPDATE Key outcomes from the Tourism Ministers’ Meeting on 11 July included Ministers endorsing:  game changing reform priorities to be developed as part of a Tourism 2020 Implementation Plan (2015-2020) (the Plan);  the second Tourism Collaboration Intergovernmental Agreement providing a formal mechanism for intergovernmental cooperation to address tourism issues of national significance until 2020;  the funding principles and mechanisms for the $43 million, four year Tourism Demand-Driver Infrastructure Programme; and  the work-plan for Indigenous tourism. The Communiqué is available at www.tourism.gov.au. Tourism 2020 Implementation Plan (2015-2020) The Chairs of the National Tourism Alliance (NTA), Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF), Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) and the Australian Regional Tourism Network (ARTN) presented proposed game changing reform priorities to achieve the upper range of the Tourism 2020 Potential. These priorities were developed with States and Territories, and in consultation with over 160 industry leaders. Tourism Ministers agreed to the development of the Plan. The priorities include:  Cross portfolio commitment within all levels of Australian Governments;  Improved visa arrangements;  Improved airports experience and aviation capacity; and  Integration of national and state tourism plans into regional development and local government planning.

Ministers agreed some jurisdictions may wish to consider a role for industry to bring forward a case for a more flexible labour system. Ministers also agreed that the Plan should recognise the importance of marketing and that responsibility for this should be shared with Government and industry.

The Tourism 2020 Implementation Plan Steering Group (which includes representatives from Austrade, Tourism Australia, State Tourism Organisations, NTA, TTF, ATEC and ARTN) will develop the final plan to be endorsed by Ministers at the next TMM. The draft game changing reform priorities matrices are available at www.tourism.gov.au.

1 TOURISM 2020 NEWS, ISSUE 10, JULY 2014 2014 BUDGET

KEY BUDGET OUTCOMES FOR TOURISM On 13 May 2014 the Treasurer Joe Hockey MP handed down the budget which outlined key initiatives for tourism including:  $43 million for the Tourism Demand-Driver Infrastructure Programme to support the states and territories to develop key tourism infrastructure to stimulate tourism demand in their states, territories, cities and regions.  $10 million for the Australia-China Approved Destination Status (ADS) scheme, to further improve the visitor experiences of Chinese tourists. China is Australia’s biggest tourism market worth more than $4 billion annually.  $2 million to support the staging of the successful Australia Week in China (AWIC) again in 2016, the promotion of our tourism brand is a key component of AWIC.  Funding support of $143 million to Tourism Australia. The Budget builds on Government’s other early tourism achievements, which include:  the elevation of tourism to Cabinet level alongside foreign affairs and trade;  freezing the Passenger Movement Charge;  announcing multiple entry three-year visas for Chinese business visitors;  approving additional air access into Australia during Chinese New Year to cater for increased visitor demand;  announcing a trial to allow Singaporean e-passport holders to use SmartGate self-processing facilities in Australia’s eight major airports;  allowing international visitors attending the Cricket World Cup in 2015 in Australia and New Zealand to utilise a single visa;  ruling out a night-time curfew at Brisbane Airport;  staging of a series of senior international investment roundtables abroad with a focus on high-grade tourism infrastructure in Australia; and  making a decision in regard to a second Sydney airport.

ENCOURAGE INVESTMENT AND REGULATORY REFORM

NORTHERN AUSTRALIA INVESTMENT FORUM 2015 TOURISM: A NATIONAL INVESTMENT PRIORITY Minister Andrew Robb AO MP Austrade and Tourism Australia have been working with recently announced in state and territory counterparts since 2012 to promote Townsville the Government investment in Australia’s tourism sector. In line with Tourism will host a Northern Australia 2020 objectives, the partnership targets investment in short- Investment Forum in the term accommodation (specifically new rooms in capital cities second half of 2015. and refurbished room stock in regional areas) and large scale This would bring together tourism infrastructure including new leisure attractions and international investors to experiences. promote and secure Since 2012, the partnership have facilitated nine investment investment in Northern outcomes, with investors committing approximately $1.14 Australia. Mr Robb said that billion to create over 1,600 new rooms and upgrade almost Northern Australia will be a centre of international 550 existing rooms and villas. investment due to the potential for large-scale international projects to be built across hundreds of With demand for travel to Australia forecasted to increase thousands of hectares of arable soil land in diverse steadily during 2014-15*, the Government will continue to sectors. work with industry to ensure it is well equip to meet increased demand for quality tourism products and Mr Robb also said the development of Australia’s north experiences. presented an opportunity to grow the northern international tourism market to two million visitors a * Tourism Forecasts, Tourism Research Australia, Autumn year by 2030. Minister Robb said that “this level of 2014 growth will provide further opportunity for Australia’s Indigenous people. As we create a policy environment that welcomes foreign investment to drive development in the North, more opportunity for Indigenous Australia will result, not just in tourism, resources and energy sectors. It will occur across all of the investment sectors such as agriculture, agribusiness, aquaculture, water infrastructure, and all of the infrastructure and services that will support these developments.”.

2 TOURISM 2020 NEWS, ISSUE 10, JULY 2014 INCREASE SUPPLY OF LABOUR, SKILLS AND INDIGENOUS PARTICIPATION CHEFS ON THE SKILLED OCCUPATION LIST The Australian Government has announced that chefs have been included on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), which commenced 1 July 2014. This reform will give industry greater access to qualified international chefs where they cannot be sourced locally. Minister Andrew Robb AO MP and Senator Michaelia Cash, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection’s announcement is a significant win for the tourism industry. Austrade and industry have been working together for many years to advocate for the inclusion of chefs on the SOL to address shortages in the local labour market. The SOL is used for people applying for the Independent or Family Sponsored Points Tested visa or Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) – Graduate Work Stream. Further information on the SOL is at www.immi.gov.au.

RELEASE OF PHILLIP ISLAND AND MORNINGTON PENINSULA SYDNEY TOURISM EMPLOYMENT PLAN TOURISM EMPLOYMENT PLAN FINALISED On 10 July 2014 The Sydney Tourism Employment Plan (TEP) has Minister Andrew Robb been successfully finalised and was officially AO MP and Victorian launched on 23 May 2014. Three industry-led Minister for Tourism working groups are now in the process of and Major Events implementing the 16 strategies identified in the Louise Asher MP TEP that focus on enhancing workforce and skills released the development, careers promotion and Indigenous Mornington Peninsula employment outcomes. This will respond to an and Phillip Island anticipated 17,000 additional people needed to Tourism Employment fill Sydney tourism jobs by 2015. Plan addressing The Sydney TEP is the culmination of 12 months regional skills and work in collaboration with more than 450 labour needs. tourism stakeholders across 22 workshops in 16 "Australia is uniquely positioned to capitalise on the demand from the local government areas. The TEP has produced a emerging middle classes of Asia who are seeking clean, green food range of factsheets, case studies, and an produce, wine and natural landscape tourism experiences – which employment pack to encourage business uptake Victoria is renowned for. It is vitally important we grow our tourism of government and industry assistance and hospitality workforce to meet this demand," Mr Robb said. programmes. Over 560 businesses were engaged The Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island Tourism Employment Plan in the Workforce Futures programme in comprises 11 individual initiatives. These include tailored training conjunction with the programmes along with a Regional Programme Guide which outlines a TEP, providing advice range of government and industry programmes and tools available to on skills needs and a assist businesses and prospective employees address local labour and comprehensive skills issues. workforce plan for each The Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island Tourism Employment Plan business. To view the was developed in collaboration with the region’s tourism and final Sydney TEP, and hospitality stakeholders including business owners, the regional get an update on the tourism boards, local government, Tourism Victoria and Austrade. roll-out of other TEPs, visit Further information about the Tourism Employment Plan and other www.tourism.gov.au/ Tourism 2020 labour and skills initiatives is at TEPs. www.Tourism2020.gov.au.

AUSTRALIA SIGNS WORK AND HOLIDAY ARRANGEMENT WITH GREECE Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Scott Morrison and Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Senator Michaelia Cash signed a work and holiday agreement with Greece on 14 May 2014. Young people from Australia and Greece are a step closer to having the opportunity to visit and work in each other's countries, with the signing of a reciprocal work and holiday visa arrangement. Minister Morrison said the signing of the agreement was testament to the close and positive relationship between the two countries. “This arrangement, when brought into effect, will enable up to 500 young adults from Greece and 500 young adults from Australia to enjoy a holiday in each other's country, during which they may engage in short-term work and study,” Minister Morrison said.

3 TOURISM 2020 NEWS, ISSUE 10, JULY 2014 ACCREDITATION TOURISM INDUSTRY QUALITY STANDARDS CONTINUE AFTER T-QUAL ACCREDITATION SCHEME ENDS Since the 30 June 2014 announcement regarding the cessation of the T-QUAL Accreditation framework, some stakeholders have expressed concern that their products are no longer accredited. Industry-run tourism quality accreditation schemes, including the 17 that were endorsed under the T-QUAL framework, continue to support industry operators to lift the quality of tourism product and provide consumers with guidance and assurance in making tourism product choices now that T-QUAL Accreditation has ceased to operate. Industry participants are encouraged to re-enforce to sales agents and customers that existing quality standards supported by industry-run tourism quality accreditation schemes continue to assist consumers make the best product choices. The Australian Government's T-QUAL Accreditation programme ended following a government tender process that was unable to identify an industry-based organisation that could demonstrate an ongoing, sustainable and long-term business model for T-QUAL Accreditation. Tourism operators and schemes have been advised that they will be given a reasonable period to remove the T-QUAL Tick from their marketing materials. In practice, this means that operators should remove references to T-QUAL from their marketing materials the next time they update them. Further Factsheet information, is available at www.tourism.gov.au/Tourism-and-business/Accreditation or contact Austrade on 02 6272 6966 or by emailing [email protected].

TOURISM DEMAND-DRIVER INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMME

TOURISM DEMAND-DRIVER INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAMME At the 11 July 2014 TMM, Tourism Ministers endorsed a set of overarching principles and a funding mechanism for the new four-year Tourism Demand-Driver Infrastructure (TDDI) Programme. The Australian Government will provide $43 million directly to the states and territories under a project agreement, with payments commencing this financial year. States and territories will decide which TDDI projects they will fund, based on their priorities. Projects funded will align strategically with relevant state, regional and destination plans. They should drive demand, improve quality and increase tourism expenditure to assist the tourism industry in meeting Tourism 2020 targets. The TDDI Programme principles are that states and territories:  must align projects to one or more of the Tourism 2020 strategic areas or to a request by Tourism Ministers;  must be able to show that the project will demonstrate a return on the government’s investment across the tourism supply chain;  must provide funding that at least matches the Australian Government’s contribution, noting that the funding can be sourced from either the public or private sector, or a combination of both. In kind contributions are not considered as matching funds;  must not use funding to create state-based substitutes for T-QUAL and TIRF grants;  can cooperate on spending funds on projects where benefits cross state borders; and  must report annually on progress to the Australian Government through the Tourism Ministers’ Meetings. The Commonwealth will now develop an agreement with states and territories. For further information go to: www.tourism.gov.au/Tourism-and-business/ddi.

4 TOURISM 2020 NEWS, ISSUE 10, JULY 2014 TOURISM RESEARCH

TOURISM RESEARCH AUSTRALIA—TOURISM UPDATE Tourism Research Australia (TRA) recently released its Tourism Update—Updated results to ‘State of the Industry 2013’ report, showing the Australian tourism industry continues to expand, with growth in visitor expenditure and nights across all segments during the year ending March 2014. Key findings for the year ending March 2014 include:  Total tourism expenditure reached $100.1 billion, growing the Tourism Industry Potential to $81.9 billion;  The international market drove solid growth in total visitor expenditure, with very strong growth from China (up 15.1 per cent) and the United Kingdom (up 13.1 per cent);  Growth in the domestic market was supported mainly by domestic overnight visitor expenditure (up 4.0 per cent);  Leisure travel continues to dominate tourism in Australia, making up 68 per cent of total expenditure (or $68.3 billion); and  China is expected to lead growth in total tourism expenditure between 2012–13 and 2022–23, contributing 40 per cent of the forecast increase in international visitor expenditure over the period. The full Tourism Update report can be accessed from www.tra.gov.au.

TOURISM AUSTRALIA

THE GROWING APPETITE FOR CULINARY EXPERIENCES TOURISM AUSTRALIA APPOINTS THREE In response to the growing demand globally for food and wine as part of NEW BOARD MEMBERS the travel experience Tourism Australia has evolved its ‘There’s nothing like Australia’ campaign to put the spotlight on Australia’s finest array of On 9 July 2014 produce served in the most stunning locations in the world. Minister Andrew Robb Marketing Australia’s culinary experiences to prospective visitors is based AO MP announced the on consumer research conducted across 15 of Australia’s key tourism appointments of markets which shows ‘great food, wine, and local cuisine’ is a major factor Andrew Fairley, Anna influencing holiday decision making. Guillan and Tony To take advantage of this opportunity Tourism Australia has developed a South to the Tourism global campaign with the idea that Australia could be the world’s greatest Australia Board of restaurant , Restaurant Australia, where we're serving up the best and Directors. All appointments came into most unique food and wine experiences in remarkable locations every day. effect on 1 July 2014 for a period of three Businesses that provide food, wine and beverage experiences that years. international visitors will enjoy are being encouraged to share it through Minister Robb said “I am confident that the the Restaurant Australia campaign web site, new Board members will build on this www.restaurant.australia.com. position of strength and support the They are also invited to participate in social media communications about tourism industry to reach its ambitious their food, wine and beverages offer by using #restaurantaustralia. Tourism 2020 target of doubling overnight More information about the campaign strategy and how to be involved is visitor expenditure to more than $115 available at: www.tourism.australia.com/restaurantaustralia. billion by the end of the decade. “I look forward to working with the new Board and thank retiring members Janet Whiting, Terri Janke and Didier Elzinga for their significant contribution. Further information at www.trademinister.gov.au/releases.

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