Tourism steering committee

THE Federal Government has gathered industry leaders to develop a new blueprint for Australia’s tourism sector, aiming to boost the country’s international market share.

The Beyond Tourism 2020 Steering Committee met for the first time in Sydney on Fri and is being chaired by the former ceo of Sydney Airport Kerrie Mather.

Other members of the committee include Helloworld executive director Cinzia Burnes, BridgeClimb Sydney ceo Todd Coates, Voyages Indigenous Tourism ceo Andrew Williams, Village Roadshow Theme Parks ceo Clark Kirby, Association of Australian Convention Bureaux president Karen Bollinger, AEG Ogden ceo Harvey Lister, Australian Chamber - Tourism exec chair John Hart and Tourism Australia md John O’Sullivan.

“Australia is currently enjoying record numbers of international and domestic travellers who are staying longer and spending more,” said Federal Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo.

“In the year ending Sep 2017, tourists spent a record $125.3b.

“To grow this further, Australia needs to develop a new long-term vision for tourism, encouraging innovation, harnessing new technology and reducing red tape that will offer a world-class experience for travellers,” he said.

The committee is due to report to the government later this year.