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read moreA new report from Victoria University and the Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) has highlighted the ongoing challenges facing the Victorian tourism industry - impacted in the last 18 months by bushfires, Coronavirus lockdowns and rising insurance costs.
Released last month, the Building the Resilience of Tourism Destinations to Disasters report shows the industry facing a challenging future, with $19.5 billion in visitor spending wiped from the Victorian economy in 2020.
Of the 323 Victorian tourism operators surveyed:
Lead researcher Dr Joanne Pyke, Director of the School for the Visitor Economy at Victoria University, said many of those hit by the double crises were struggling, advising “the industry is depleted emotionally, financially and physically.
“At the same time, they need to quickly rebuild their businesses, often without the finances, support and workforce that they need to do so.”
Advising that Victoria must lead the way in implementing strategies to address current vulnerabilities in the tourism system and increase resilience to future crises, VTIC Chief Executive, Felicia Mariani stated “our sector is not just scrambling to recover from the double crises of the past year; we’re also looking to build resilience and plan for a next inevitable crisis.
“The sector had already been facing a challenge in attracting enough skilled seasonal workers and COVID has amplified that problem by cutting off our overseas supply of backpackers, students and other workers. This shortage of staff resource is definitely hampering the sector’s ability and pace to recover.”
Explaining that governments needed to implement targeted strategies to support industry in recovery, as many measures had not been helpful in the Victorian context, Dr Pyke went on to say “funding cheap airfares to take tourists to other states has had a negative impact on tourism recovery in Victoria, which relies heavily on people travelling within the state to fill the overseas tourist shortfall.
“But possibly one of the most significant issues is the dramatic increase in business insurance cost in bushfire areas. Businesses can’t plan for the next crisis or build resilience if they are not assured of the ability to be able fund their recovery after a disaster.”
The report did show that those who had accessed training in risk management, leadership, contingency and continuity planning as part of VTIC’s accreditation process, were fairing much better and were more likely to feel prepared for the next crisis. Those who had experienced previous disasters, such as bushfires, were also more likely to have risk management plans in place and be in a better position to recover.
It also highlighted the need for state and federal Government policy interventions to:
The research revealed many stories of both innovation and resilience as well as the impacts of the crises.
Images: Escape Villas at Hepburn Springs (top) and Pizzini Wines - which ramped up its online marketing during the COVID crisis (below).
9th June 2021 - Adventure Tourism Victoria denounces partial lifting of lockdown
8th June 2021 - WTTC campaign launched as global call for governments to restart international travel
8th June 2021 - Victoria’s Chief Health Officer warns of no large crowds when Melbourne lockdown ends
7th June 2021 - Victorian Government announces $32 million support package for lockdown impacted tourism businesses
21st April 2021 - Victorian Government releases $633 million ‘roadmap’ funding to boost tourism and major events
4th June 2021 - Return of international tours vital for Australia’s entertainment venues and promoters
26th February 2021 - Victoria University study shows inappropriate uniforms impact desire of girls and young women to participate in sport
22nd April 2018 - Victoria University Summit will build momentum on UN Sustainable Development Goals
27th May 2021 - Victoria Government announces seven-day lockdown
21st May 2021 - Save Victorian Events founder slams Victorian Government’s lack of support for business event sector
30th April 2021 - Victoria’s Enchanted Adventure Park advises of record summer
14th April 2021 - Victorian Parliamentary inquiry into tourism and events support hears plea to save ‘industry in crisis’
9th April 2021 - Tourism Conference to explore reigniting Victoria’s visitor economy
8th April 2021 - Parks Victoria advise that time is ‘running out’ to save the Alpine National Park
17th February 2021 - VTIC fear loss of jobs in Victorian tourism and events without further support
2nd August 2020 - Victoria Tourism Industry Council advises dedicated program of support required to survive latest lockdown
11th July 2020 - Victoria Tourism Industry Council welcomes business support package for ‘battered’ tourism industry
7th July 2020 - Victoria Tourism Industry Council concerned over re-imposed Melbourne lockdown
15th June 2020 - Victoria Tourism Industry Council welcomes easing of restrictions but highlights challenges of the four square metre rule
10th June 2020 - Victoria Tourism Industry Council welcomes Sovereign Hill’s reopening announcement
13th May 2020 - VTIC highlights need for coordinated response to COVID-19 recovery
27th April 2020 - VTIC welcomes new emergency funding for tourism industry
3rd May 2021 - Moving to address industry insurance crisis AALARA releases survey on Discretionary Mutual Fund
12th April 2021 - Failure to secure insurance see Australia’s last circus with exotic animals move to retire its lions and monkeys
2nd April 2021 - Save Victorian Events highlight Bluesfest cancellation as confirmation of need for Governments to back event cancellation insurance
29th December 2020 - Ombudsman’s report calls for action in addressing ‘national crisis’ in insurance coverage
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