Victorian adventure tourism operators see no lifeline in Federal Budget 2020-21
Adventure Tourism Victoria, a body representing more than 40 operators, has called out for dedicated support of Victorian businesses, which are feeling the sting of extended lockdowns following a horrendous bushfire season.
“Our member businesses, some of which have been operating for 20 years, are hurting badly, and this has been compounded by recent JobKeeper cuts,” said John O’Sullivan from Adventure Tourism Victoria.
“Until international borders open, adventure travel will continue to atrophy as overseas visitors are integral to Victoria’s visitor economy.
“Last year, Victoria had 914,000 international youth visitors who contributed $5.3 billion in visitor expenditure and an additional 130,000 international (non-youth) visitors. These visitors stay for longer and spend more than other international visitors to the state.
“Yet, while Victorians are uniquely suffering from the challenges of COVID-19, Federal JobKeeper payments continue to reduce. With some members facing a decrease of 100% of their revenues, any reduction in Federal assistance is a death knell.
“The reduced payments have come at a time when interest on the $250K Federal Loan Support Package has begun to accrue.
“While we welcome investment into regional Australia, we don’t know how much of this will be directed to Victoria or how tangible this support will be, and our metropolitan members are struggling as much as those in regional Victoria.
“We urge the Federal Government and Minister Birmingham to provide targeted assistance for the Victorian tourism industry that reflects the additional economic hardship we have endured as the epicentre of the nation’s COVID-19 crisis,” Mr O’Sullivan said.
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