Newly released data has shown that regional tourism is continuing to surge in the regions … bringing significant economic benefits with it.
Austrade’s Tourism Research Australia (TRA) statistics showed the economic value of tourism grew in 97% of regions in 2022-23, with more than half of regional communities seeing growth of above 50% on the previous year.
Regions benefiting the most from tourism include:
Plenty of vans are getting out ino the regions. PIC: Cizza
Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell, said the data showed the strength of the tourism industry across Australia, supporting more businesses, more jobs and more opportunities for locals in regional areas.
He said it was clear that tourism continues to be the lifeblood of our regions, with the sector directly accounting for 6.7% of jobs versus 2.9% in capital cities.
“We have supported significant upgrades to affordable accommodation in regional Australia through our $10 million Caravan Parks Grants Program, which has enabled operators to improve their facilities and amenities to attract more visitors,” he said. “In addition, round one of the Government’s Growing Regions Program has allocated more than $116 million in tourism related funding for community and economic infrastructure projects across regional and rural Australia.”
Senator Farrell said the Federal Government would continue to deliver its national strategy for the growth of the tourism sector as a whole, which included targets for visitor spend, specifically in regional Australia.
“I encourage Australians to continue to get out and explore our magnificent country, knowing that not only will you have a great experience, but that you are also contributing to the creation of more jobs and opportunities in our communities,” he said.
Are you a Grey Nomad member yet? Click here to find out about the discounts, competitions and other benefits on offer.
As travellers we know exactly how much we contribute to regional economies, as we choose to spend there. Gone are the days when you stock up to the gunnels in your capital city Aldi and try to survive as long as possible without spending on food!! Most of us enjoy going into the smaller shops to get a few needed items in the smaller towns. It is easier as we can often walk there, or find it easier to park our bigger cars. This is when we have a chance to chat with locals and get some good local info as well as giving them the message that we care about their community.
Unfortunately, a large proportion of “jobs” created in tourism are not particularly effective at improving productive output to aid the Australian economy, more a means of helping people spend more money in the circular “economy” .
Yes this is all well & good, but all Government Bodies / Federal / State / Local Gov/ City / Shire councils included, need to get out quicker and Spend more Money in Fixing up all Highways & Roads that carry the Majority of this Tourist Visitor Traffic and I have heard that there are a Lot of Highways & Roads, are in serious need of Major Repairs.
Robert S
Yes Robert the roads are in a very poor state. It doesn’t matter how much taxpayer money is poured into private caravan parks, if the roads are so bad that people are loath to travel on them.
Minister Don Farrell didn’t make any mention for fixing the poor condition of our National Highway. A lot of them are a disgrace.
It would be good to know what the Parks can get funding for some may be getting the money and not spending it on upgrades I am in a park now (no Names) that is adding self-contained units maybe this park has funding, which is doing nothing for the van travelers.
I thought our roads in WA were bad but QLD is a state which government needs a good swift kick up the rear end as they are shoeing no signs of repair on roads that I have sen in over 3 months here.
The Qld Govt only see road spending from Gympie to the Gold Coast, that’s where the votes are. Qld road generally are 2/10 and will be that way forever.
Your on the money and we carnt just blame this QLD Government it goes back a very long time . Many of the deaths and serous accidents would not have happened if a dual highway had been started back in the 70’s when first discussed. Look at the dramatic changes in the accidents on the pacific HWY since it has been completed.
Qld Labor believe that Qld is from Noosa to the NSW border and west to Toowoomba.
Somebody should tell Albany in WA.
So don’t spit in the eye of the grey Nomads by trying to force us into crambed up van parks. We didn’t get self contained vans to have to live in crowded
suburbia.