A Monash University expert is available to discuss Australia’s tourism economy post COVID-19, particularly the impact of reduced numbers of working holiday makers and international backpackers.
Dr Jeff Jarvis, Director, Graduate Tourism Program (Faculty of Arts)
Contact details: +61 419 524 050 or jeff.jarvis@monash.edu
Read more of Dr Jarvis’ commentary at Monash Lens
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With the reopening of domestic borders, Australia could relaunch its lucrative inbound market through high yield, long staying international visitors
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Both international students and working holiday makers, a subset of international backpackers, could contribute to the recovery of the international tourism economy in 2021
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Why working holiday makers are so important to Australia’s tourism industry – from their dispersion regionally and their brand advocacy to their cash injections into local economies
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The impact on the agricultural industry and the summer harvest with the loss of mobile labour from working holiday makers
The following quotes can be attributed to Dr Jarvis:
“The border closure has seen the numbers of working holiday makers currently in Australia decline from 145,000 in November 2019 to just over 60,000 in October 2020. This outgoing tide of travellers has revealed their importance to the broader economy.
“International working holiday makers not only provide tourism expenditure supporting tourism SMEs in key traveller leisure hubs such as the Whitsundays and Byron Bay, but they also play a crucial role in providing an educated, mobile workforce keen to travel to experience regional Australia.
“They’re here as long-term multi-destination travellers typically on a gap year from university or school or a career break from employment and in Australia to sample the lifestyle, see the country and work to supplement their adventure. They are typically highly educated with many having completed tertiary study and via a Ford or Holden station wagon, are a natural fit for providing mobile labour for the agricultural and tourism industries from picking melons in Bundaberg to being a barista in Broome.
“It’s a natural win-win situation, travellers exchange their labour for cash, the opportunity to extend their visa for up to three years to continue their adventure and a hands-on travel experience of regional Australia that many Australians miss out on.”
Dr Jarvis has written a Monash Lens article on working holiday makers and international backpackers in a post COVID-19 tourism economy which is available for republication
For any other topics on which you may be seeking expert comment, please contact the Monash University Media team on +61 3 9903 4840 or media@monash.edu.
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