The tourism industry delivers very significant economic benefits to our national, state and territory and regional economies.
Labor understands that a thriving tourism industry is vital to our regions; it creates and sustains jobs, drives investment in infrastructure and increases the quality of life for communities across Australia.
In Townsville during the year ending March 2019, approximately 1.5m domestic and international visitors explored local attractions and experienced all this vibrant region has to offer.
During this same period, both domestic and international visitors spent a total of $969 million, ensuring the ongoing importance of this industry to the Townsville community and the region.
Tourism is a major growth sector and it is vital we unlock its full potential.
Issues such as the skills shortage, which is resulting in seven out of ten tourism employers experiencing skills deficiencies in their workforce, prevent businesses from fully realising the many economic benefits of the industry.
It is for this reason that we are in Townsville today to talk to local operators about how we can ensure the industry receives the support it deserves from Government.
Tourism is important to Townsville, important to the region and important to Labor.
The Government need to do more and invest in local and regional tourism recognising its importance as a job creator.