DECEMBER 2020
     

Peak body applauds 'strong choice'

Caravan industry looking forward to positive engagement with new minister

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THE peak body for Australia's caravan and camping industry is looking forward to highlighting its importance with new Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Dan Tehan.

Chief executive Stuart Lamont (pictured) said the Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) applauded the strong choice of Mr Tehan as the incoming minister and welcomed the opportunity to stress the role which the caravan and camping sector could play in a tourism recovery.

The caravanning and camping industry, like many, had been battered in 2020, but was seeing "really positive shoots" coming out of the domestic sector looking to undertake a great Australian getaway over the upcoming Christmas period.

"It is important that the tourism industry retains strong leadership, and we look forward to positive engagement with Minister Tehan as we navigate the opportunities in market, supporting the livelihoods of many thousands of small businesses and local jobs, many located in regional communities," he said.

The caravanning and camping sector remained optimistic around the future, already seeing signs of recovery with Tourism Research Australia recently reporting September's record high of 20 percent of all accommodation nights spent around the country for caravanning and camping.

As the number one provider of visitor nights in regional Australia ‒ generating over $10 billion of direct visitor expenditure in 2019 ‒ the caravanning and camping industry looked forward to how regional tourism would be appropriately recognised within the new structure.

The CIAA thanked outgoing Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham and wished him luck for his role as Finance Minister.

Mr Birmingham's leadership and engagement with the tourism sector had been immensely positive since taking over the portfolio in 2018, with 2019 marking an exceptional year for the industry with record breaking international and domestic tourism numbers.

"Throughout the immense challenges presented in 2020, we have welcomed the strong engagement with Austrade and Tourism Australia which has been consultative and consistent under his direction, and this has assisted the caravanning industry forge the way in what will be a domestic tourism led recovery," it said.

Mr Lamont praised Mr Birmingham, adding: "As the tourism industry rebounds, businesses and workers across the industry, including the 6000 businesses and 50,000 employees in the caravanning and camping industry, are well placed to capitalise on the domestic opportunities moving forward, in no small part thanks to the leadership of the minister.

"Minister Birmingham's renewed focus of Tourism Australia on stimulating domestic travel in 2020 was a welcome change, including the successful partnership between CIAA and Tourism Australia for the Travel your Road campaign," he said.

"We also thank Senator Duniam for his access and advice during his role as Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism and wish him all the best in his ongoing portfolio responsibilities.

"Caravan and camping continues to punch above its weight in regard to delivering benefits to regional communities recovering from a horrendous 2020.

"And we are looking forward to working with Minister Tehan and his department to further strengthen this recovery of the sector in what is a critical rebound period."

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