State Budget’s tourism spend criticised

VICTORIA’S peak body for tourism is disappointed in the lack of funding for the sector in Labor’s 2023/24 state budget, not only in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games but beyond.

The Victorian Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) has also called for more support for Avalon Airport.

Visit Victoria, the state’s leading marketing body, was allocated $32.5 million in the budget, well down on the $50 million it received in the 2020/21 budget.

“To see our primary destination marketing body dealt a significant decline in discretionary funding… was sobering enough, but to see that there is no funding in the forward estimates beyond the upcoming financial year is incredibly worrying,” VTIC chief executive officer Felicia Mariani said.

“This means that as the destination looks to establish global partnerships to attract visitors for the Commonwealth Games, they have no guaranteed funding with which to negotiate beyond the current year.

“The industry has been seeking long-term funding for this important agency in the four-year forward estimates since 2017, and this certainty continues to be marginalised.”

Ms Mariani also said Victoria’s international recovery performance was below the national average, and there needed to be a continued commitment to an aviation attraction fund that would bring airlines back to Avalon Airport and secure capacity growth.

“The latest Overseas Arrivals and Departures data from March 2023 revealed Victoria has only recovered 68 per cent of its pre-pandemic international arrivals well behind NSW, which has recovered 75 per cent, and also behind the national average, which is 73 per cent.

“This is purely a byproduct of the aviation capacity that Sydney has achieved. and our major gateways in Melbourne Airport and Avalon Airport need to be supported to fight hard for the return of not just international carriers, but more frequency of flights to compete effectively.”

One local project that is funded is the upgrades to visitor facilities at Serendip Sanctury precinct and The You Yangs, which will receive $11 million.

There is $21 million between now and 2027 for the Bendigo Art Gallery but no funding for the long-awaited redevelopment of the Geelong Gallery, and G21 chief executive officer Giulia Baggio said it was disappointing the project had been again overlooked.

“It remains key to central Geelong’s revitalisation and completion of the arts precinct.”

The state Opposition said total spending for tourism and major events had been cut in half, from $495 million to $247 million.

“The State Budget has savaged the tourism and major events sectors when the industry can least afford it.

“Victoria has been overtaken by New South Wales as the tourism capital, and it seems the Andrews Government has no desire to regain that title.”