The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) welcomes Tourism Research Australia’s recent 2017-18 State Tourism Satellite Account (STSA) results, which show the tourism industry is a major contributor to Australia’s economy and job creation.
At the national level, tourism GDP rose to $57.3 billion between 2016-17 and 2017-18, an increase of 7.1%. This was well ahead of the 4.7% growth in national GDP during the same period.
The data reveals that tourism employed 646,000 workers in 2017–18, a 4.6% increase from 2016–17 and above the 3.0% employment growth in the Australian workforce over the same period.
VTIC Chief Executive Felicia Mariani said the tourism sector continues to demonstrate its value and attractiveness as a diverse and growing industry with many exciting career pathways.
“The numbers don’t lie. The fact that one in 19 Australians now work in this vital industry is a crucial reminder why governments at all levels need to continue to invest in its future.”
Results show that Victorian tourism is a key driver of national employment performance, with more people in Victoria directly or indirectly employed in tourism than any other state, except New South Wales.
In 2017-18 Victoria’s total tourism employment rose by 5.9 percent to 233,000 people, with over 156,000 people directly employed and over 76,000 people indirectly employed.
“While VTIC is encouraged by these results, we cannot rest on our laurels.
“The challenge for policy makers is to continue this momentum by taking action that increases investment in tourism infrastructure, reduces red tape and strengthens tourism workforce skills,” Ms Mariani said.
