Investment in tourism infrastructure is essential to increase demand for travel to and within Australia. It is therefore crucial that there is a strategy in place to prioritize the development of tourism infrastructure, which will maximize the return on investment. The strategy must address cases of market failure in the provision of tourism infrastructure and prioritize investment in those destinations that offer the best chance of delivering additional economic activity.
Tourism Infrastructure Policy and Priorities TTF provides a roadmap for tourism investment that will deliver the best results for the national economy and help achieve the tourism industry's potential target of doubling overnight tourism expenditure to US$140 billion by 2020. TTF Policy and Priorities Document of tourism infrastructure will highlight key projects that the industry has identified as necessary to support the sustainable growth of the sector. Key to this growth is adequate investment in tourism infrastructure, which supports the tourism product and encourages visitor expenditure (see Table 1, which highlights expenditure by infrastructure and product category).
However, the provision of tourism infrastructure is often a complex process due to the fragmented nature of the industry. Furthermore, policy levers to plan, build, manage or regulate public and private tourism infrastructure often lie outside the tourism portfolio (see Table 2). It is important to understand the different types of tourism infrastructure and their role in supporting the visitor economy through the tourism supply chain.
Tourism infrastructure can be divided into two main groups: demand drivers and visitor support infrastructure.
DEMAND DRIVERS
STADIA AND
ENTERTAINMENT VENUES
ADELAIDE CONVENTION CENTRE
Two out of three international visitors to Australia engage in some form of nature-based tourism. Millions of international visitors participated in nature-based activities and spent $3,841 per travel - $497 more than the average international visitor7. Natural icons of Australia's national park system, including Uluru and Kata Tjuta, the Great Barrier Reef and the Great Ocean Road, form a key component of Australia's destination branding and promotion.
Although the value of these regions has already been noted through the National Landscapes programme, it must be recognized that consumer preferences for nature-based tourism activities are changing and visitors want more immersive experiences in nature. Australia requires smarter and more efficient investment in national park visitor infrastructure such as interpretive facilities, long walking trails and viewing platforms to facilitate iconic experiences that attract international and domestic visitors. Demand for low-impact accommodation to support extended stays in national park areas continues to increase, representing a potential source of revenue for park agencies.
The Wildlife Service and the Tasmanian Tourism Industry Council secured $25 million in joint and state funding to develop the Three Capes Trail: a multi-day walking experience on the Tasman Peninsula. The track will include private sector investment in low-impact accommodation to support overnight stays as part of long-distance walking. 8 Economic Impact Analysis for the Three Capes Track, Tasman National Park, Seneca Consulting Pty Ltd prepared for the Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service.
VISITOR ATTRACTIONS
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART AUSTRALIA
CAIRNS DREDGING
SUPPORTING VISITOR INFRASTRUCTURE
AIRPORT AND
CRUISE SHIPPING
PUBLIC PRECINCTS AND RECREATION FACILITIES
CITY ACCOMMODATION
TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES
TOURISM AS A SECONDARY USER
PLANNING, APPROVAL AND REGULATORY BARRIERS
UNTARGETED GOVERNMENT FUNDING
PRIORITY REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE: LOCH ARD INTERPRETIVE CENTRE
PRIORITISING INVESTMENT IN TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE
A CO-ORDINATED APPROACH
Priority destinations may include more than one tourism region, with tourism expenditure modeled by ART and the economic importance of tourism determined based on ART methodology. Destinations are ranked by tourism spending, the share of tourism in the local economy is a ratio between each region's tourism output, a derivative of tourism spending that excludes taxes and subsidies at the point of sale, and the region's total.
ADDRESSING TOURISM
INFRASTRUCTURE PRIORITIES
TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE PRIORITIES BY REGION
TOURISM REGIONS
DESTINATION INFRASTRUCTURE
TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
NATIONAL LANDSCAPE
MELBOURNE AND SURROUNDS (VIC)
PERTH AND SURROUNDS (wA)
BRISBANE AND SURROUNDS (QLD)
TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE
NSw NORTH COAST (NSw)
GOLD COAST (QLD)
- TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND (QLD)
- SUNSHINE AND FRASER COAST (QLD)
- THE CAPITAL AND AUSTRALIAN ALPS (ACT/NSw/VIC)
- ADELAIDE AND SURROUNDS (SA)
- HUNTER AND CENTRAL COAST (NSw)
- SOUTH EAST COAST (NSw/VIC)
- EASTERN VICTORIA (VIC)
Progress Sunshine Coast Hinterland nature tourism projects including the Maryborough Historic and Cultural District. Enhance multi-person access for hiking, kayaking, fishing and mountain biking in the Australian Alps. Implement the Mt Buller Resort master plan, including upgrade to water storage facilities, the Horse Hill Gondola, and year-round visitor experiences.
Improve hiking and visitor facilities at Kelly Hill Conservation Park and Seal Bay Conservation Park. Central Coast district development projects including the Gosford landing and the Entrance revitalization project. Enhance visitor experiences and accommodation offerings along Light to Light walking trail and Green Cape Lightstation in Ben Boyd National Park.
Develop a range of footpaths and multi-day walks including the Coastal Wilderness Walk (Cape Conran to Mallacoota), Merimbula to Eden and within Croajingolong and Ben Boyd National Park. To enable flexible reuse of the former Point Nepean Quarantine Station, including visitor facilities and accommodation. Develop hotel accommodation with conference facilities to complement food and wine on the Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley.
TASMANIA (TAS)
- BLUE MOUNTAINS AND SURROUNDS (NSw)
- AUSTRALIA’S wEST COAST (wA)
- wESTERN VICTORIA (VIC)
- DARwIN AND kAkADU (NT)
Establish permanent customs and immigration facilities at the Port of Broome for international cruise ships. Develop sustainable nature-based accommodation in national parks, on Crown Land or Indigenous land, including Litchfield and Kakadu National Park. Extend the power grid to the residence at Jim Jim Falls to reduce reliance on self-generated power.
Develop commercial tourism opportunities, including interactive nature-based, cultural and adventure activities in Litchfield National Park. Upgrade visitor facilities in national parks, including the Nourlangie Day Use Area and expand walking trails in Kakadu National Park. Upgrade road access to and within Kakadu National Park, including Garnamarr, Twin Falls and Jim Jim Falls visitor destinations.
THE RED CENTRE (NT)
THE FLINDERS RANGES (SA)
Expand the runways at Port Lincoln and Port Augusta airports and upgrade the terminal at Port Augusta. Seal key sections of the Flinders Rangers Touring Route: 6km from the Arkaroola-Balcanoona road and the Blinman-Parachilna road.
