The ACCI said that with vaccination rates above 90 per cent, now is the right time to open the international borders so the hard-hit tourism sector can get back on its feet.
The Australian Chamber – Tourism used its submission to call on national cabinet and the federal government to get the policy settings right so the sector can make a strong recovery and bounce back.
“The tourism sector was one of the first to feel the huge costs of COVID-19. The international border has been closed to tourist markets for 678 days and counting,” John Hart, executive chair of Australian Chamber – Tourism said.
“As a matter of priority, the Federal Government must expedite the reopening of our international borders to all fully vaccinated travellers, a move that will provide the tourism industry with confidence to resume their operations.
“We must support and rebuild tourism businesses so that Australia can continue to benefit from the significant contribution our tourism sector makes to local jobs and communities.
“Initiatives such as refunding tourist visa fees and removing passenger movement charges will make Australia a more cost competitive tourist destination and drive much-needed international demand.
“Without a commitment to fully open the international border, it is only fair that businesses receive support to prevent them going under through no fault of their own.
“It is essential that targeted support measures are provided to businesses that continue to be negatively affected by international border restrictions, including travel agents, the inbound tour operators sector, the cruise industry and business events.
“Pent-up domestic and international demand means that consumers are keen to travel and support the tourism sector. However, government support in implementing targeted financial assistance and other key policy initiatives outlined in our pre-budget submission will be crucial to assist in the recovery for this hard-hit industry.”
The chamber also made a number of other recommendations in its submission including extending the financial support to tourism businesses still heavily impacted by government restrictions arising from COVID-19, as well as removing the fringe benefit tax on entertainment and travel for a limited period of up to two years and reinstate deductibility for business expenditure on entertainment and travel.
It has also called on the federal government to increase Tourism Australia funding to $240 million per annum with an ongoing domestic role and an increase to the business events bid fund.
