Budget supports the visitor economy to rebuild and grow

April 7, 2022

With more than 300,000 businesses in the visitor economy, the Coalition Government recently launched its THRIVE 2030 strategy, which aims to grow the value of the visitor economy to $230 billion by 2030.

Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the THRIVE 2030 strategy is an important step in Australia’s bounce back after the debilitating effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“THRIVE 2030 will help the tourism industry and governments set a plan for sustainable long-term growth of the visitor economy over the next ten years,” Mr Littleproud said.

“The pandemic reiterated the importance of a long-term strategy to capture new opportunities in the visitor economy.”

To deliver THRIVE 2030, the Coalition Government has budgeted an initial investment of:

• $75.5 million in targeted support for travel agents and tour arrangement service providers to continue to operate and rebook travel credits. This is the final round of the Consumer Travel Support Program (CTSP).
• $60 million over three years to attract more visitors to Australia from new and diverse international markets. This includes additional support for the Business Events bid fund attracting major events to Australia.
• $2 million over two years for the development of an industry led visitor economy online employment and skills platform.
• $4.8 million for Tourism Research Australia to capture and analyse new tourism and visitor data sources, to support businesses, organisations and governments make more timely and informed business decisions.

Round 3 of the CTSP is currently open to eligible travel agents and tour arrangement service providers who continue to support consumers to rebook their travel using existing COVID-related travel credits. So far, eligible businesses have received $184 million under the program, with 5,455 grants issued to approximately 3,233 travel agents and tour arrangement service providers.

Applications for the third round of grants close on April 20 and Mr Littleproud encouraged all eligible travel agents to access the support material and, if they are eligible, to make an application.

The Government will also boost the number of Working Holiday Makers through a one-off 30% increase across all country caps in 2022-23. This will help the Australian retail, hospitality, tourism and hotel operators tackle workforce shortages.

“The Australian tourism industry has a lot to look forward to with pent up demand driving interest and confidence in our country,” Mr Littleproud said.

“The Coalition Government will work with states and territories, regional communities and tourism operators to deliver significant and sustainable benefits to the Australian community through the THRIVE 2030 strategy.”

For more information on Round 3 of the CTSP visit: COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program – Austrade.