Holidays in Oz bid

TRAVELLERS are being urged to visit Australian destinations rather than heading overseas to help the tourism industry recover from the devastating bushfires.

The Morrison government has further dipped into its $2 billion National Bushfire Recovery Fund, announcing an initial $76 million tourism recovery package.

Responding to calls from the tourism industry, the package includes $20 million for a nationally co-ordinated domestic marketing initiative and $25 million for a global marketing campaign to drive international tourism.

There is also money for regional tourism events, an international media program, support for Tourism Australia’s annual trade event and additional funding for Australia’s diplomats to promote that Australia is open for business.

Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham is encouraging Australians to spend their next long weekend or school holiday within Australia to support tourism businesses. He also wants key international markets to understand Australia is still open for business.

“Most Australian tourism attractions are untouched by bushfire, and that people can still come and have the same incredible experience visiting Australia that we’ve always prided ourselves on,” he said.

Tourism groups applauded the government’s package.

Australian Tourism Industry Council executive director Simon Westaway described it as a “significant response”.

“The package is arguably unprecedented ... because it represents a step-change in the thinking of government around just how important our industry is to the social and economic dynamics of our nation going forward,” he said.