VICTORIANS holidaying in their own backyard this year will be critical to helping the tourism industry get back on its feet, with new data revealing the impact of bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic on domestic visitation.
The latest tourism data from Tourism Research Australia showed domestic overnight travel fell in the March quarter, down 18 percent, as the nation locked down to deal with COVID-19 .
Unsurprisingly, international visitation fell 28 percent in the March quarter nationwide.
Federal Tourism Minister, Si mon Birmingham said the June quarter data was likely to be even worse, highlighting the pain being felt across the tourism sector.
“As government considers what future assistance may be necessary beyond September, the best thing that many Australians can do to support these businesses is to book a holiday here in Australia,” Mr Birmingham said.
“The best thing that can happen for our tourism industry right now, is for people to make bookings and undertake trips to regions where it is safe to do so, because this will help save a small business or the job of a fellow Australian.”
