[ad_1]
ATEC expressed gratitude for the Federal Government’s Budget announcement, which includes reinstating funding to enhance the Approved Destination Status (ADS) scheme. ATEC has persistently advocated for the Government to reinvest in and reorient the ADS scheme, recognizing its pivotal role in Australia’s advancement in the Chinese visitor market over the past two decades. Additionally, ATEC applauds the decision to maintain funding for Tourism Australia, recognizing its importance in sustaining the ongoing recovery of the inbound tourism sector.
“ATEC welcomes the Government’s commitment to supporting existing funding levels for Tourism Australia and its investment in promoting Australia,” ATEC Managing Director Peter Shelley said tonight.
“Moving forward we will look for increased funding to ensure Australia remains competitive in the global tourism marketplace.”
In this year’s budget, $8.1 million has been earmarked over four years to revive the China ADS scheme, which was discontinued and suspended amid the pandemic. In 2019, over 670,000 Chinese tourists contributed more than $3.3 billion in expenditure.
“ATEC has been advocating for the reinstatement and refresh of this important program since the re-establishment of visitors from China last year and we are pleased to see this funding back in the budget.
“We see an opportunity for the China ADS program to be modernised to strengthen service delivery and to focus on consumer driven, quality group tour offerings. This budget allocation will enable us to achieve these changes with the security of ongoing forward funding for the first time.”
Mr Shelley said allocations for the Export Market Development Grant scheme have been retained with the addition of $10.9 m for the ‘Go Global Toolkit’ to support new exporters (including tourism exporters) to grow their markets.
“We congratulate Minister Farrell for his strong advocacy for our industry and the support he has given in securing the ADS for our tourism exporters.”
The post ATEC Celebrates Reinvestment in ADS Scheme, Emphasizing Importance for Tourism Growth in the Chinese Visitor Market appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
[ad_2]
Source link
