Coker wants help for businesses hit by tourism downturn

THE impact of lower tourism numbers due to the coronavirus travel ban is beginning to be felt across the Great Ocean Road region, and Corangamite Labor federal member Libby Coker wants the Coalition to release an economic support package for affected small tourism operators, small businesses and workers.

The Coalition created the $17 million National Bushfire Recovery Agency in the wake of the bushfire crisis, and on Tuesday announced the City of Ballarat and Golden Plains Shire would receive $225,000 and $200,000 respectively from the fund.

An equivalent agency has not been rolled out in response to the significant tourism downturn following the travel ban on visitors from China – which has been extended by a week to Saturday, February 22 – but Ms Coker argues that one should be.

“I’m receiving daily reports about the dramatic drop in visitors and the obvious impact that is having on businesses across Corangamite, but particularly the Bellarine, Surf Coast and Otways regions. Clearly, the economic impact along one of Australia’s premier tourist destinations, the Great Ocean Road, is becoming very serious. I call on the government to put together a similar package of relief to the bushfires for affected businesses, workers and communities,” she said.

“Australian Tourism Industry Council CEO Simon Westaway said earlier this week that it is abundantly clear the overall cost of coronavirus to Australian tourism enterprises and tourism reliant communities will exceed the level of financial and operational impact caused by the devastating bushfires. I would therefore urge the federal Minister for Tourism Simon Birmingham and the Prime Minister to listen sympathetically to these appeals for assistance.”

Ms Coker, who visited Apollo Bay on Sunday to open the town’s seafood festival, said deferral of small business tax was one suggestion “on the table”.

Victorian Liberal Senator Sarah Henderson said “there were no silver bullets to ease the pain” being felt by local tourism operators.

“We have begun the planning required to ensure that when these temporary travel restrictions are lifted and as global travel confidence improves, Australia quickly re-establishes our place as a hugely popular, welcoming and safe destination for Chinese and other visitors.”

She said the Coalition would spend $76 million to boost tourism activity, including a $20 million “Holiday Here This Year” campaign for domestic locations such as the Great Ocean Road.