SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO SAVE TOURISM – NOW
Amid the confidence-crushing uncertainty of the latest lockdown, we are watching the demise of an industry that’s really the only game in town on the Gold Coast
OF all the industries impacted by coronavirus, the tourism industry would have to be the one most hurting.
Confidence is the key word right now to the plight of those earning an income from tourism. People just don’t feel confident, especially those in other states, to book a holiday in these uncertain times.
Lockdowns and border restrictions are playing havoc with accommodation providers and theme parks.
Aviation, the lifeblood of tourism, is on its knees. Qantas announced that 2500 of its staff would be stood down.
Just when we thought we could start planning ahead, the Delta variant has changed life forever.
Mayor Tom Tate has been publicly declaring that the tourism industry needs a JobKeeper 2.0, tailored specifically for those who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic.
He also says the Gold Coast should be exempt from the latest Brisbane lockdown. Thus far, his pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has handled the economic impact of the Covid-19 outbreak as well as any fiscal manager in the world.
Australia has rebounded spectacularly and the momentum of that good management will stand the country in good stead going forward. But Cr Tate is right. The Gold Coast is on its knees because there is no confidence.
It means we are watching over the demise of an industry on the Gold Coast that we simply can’t allow to happen.
The Gold Coast has a narrow band of industries. There’s tourism … then there’s tourism. A small business haven, the Gold Coast’s economic engine room is its ability to attract holidaymakers.
The theme parks alone employ thousands of people, who now find themselves unable to cash a pay cheque.
With JobKeeper gone, their ability to stay in the game is completely compromised.
Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan is a wily veteran of the industry.
He’s just about seen it all, from pilots’ strikes to the GFC and everything in between.
He has never seen the tourism industry under so much stress.
“It’s heartbreaking,’’ he says.
“People are literally packing up and going home every day.’’
Cr Tate believes the Gold Coast should now be exempt from the Brisbane lockdown, on the grounds there is no significant outbreak in the city.
That’s risky for health authorities because we know the Delta strain is highly contagious and the Gold Coast would run the risk of a major cluster.
But there needs to be a circuit-breaker for tourism operators.
Doing the same thing over and over again – and not learning from it – is a recipe for disappointment.
Whether it’s a concession around lockdowns or the introduction of a special tourism package from the commonwealth that saves the industry, something has to happen.
Going back to May last year, the Palaszczuk government put its health
response before any economic damage. It helped Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk win another four-year term. But the collateral damage to industry was monumental, especially to those relying on tourism. There’s just been hit after hit after hit.
What our political leaders need to understand is that unless they intervene and change the Covid-19 plan, many tourism employees will not be around.
Seasoned pilots, flight attendants, hotel managers, waiters, restaurant owners … they’re leaving the industry in droves.
They too, like holidaymakers, have no confidence that this thing will be sorted out anytime soon. That brain drain, years of intellectual understanding of the industry, is also in danger of being lost.
Federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan spends a lot of time on the Gold Coast and he understands the plight of the industry.
It’s time he called a summit on the Gold Coast, but this time it will be different. This
time, a series of actions need to be part of a communique brought directly to Frydenberg. That should include fiscal measures aimed at keeping the struggling industry afloat.
The Gold Coast has built its reputation on the mantra that we are a thriving, world-class destination with among the best sporting facilities in the country. Our beaches and hinterland are the envy of the world.
It’s essential we make some noise and get this industry back on its feet, once 80 per cent of the population is vaccinated.
There will be better times ahead. The trick is making sure we are around to enjoy those summer days.
Cr Tate is right. The Gold Coast is on its knees