On 8 May 2008, the Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP, Minister for Tourism, announced the development of a National Long-Term Tourism Strategy
(the Strategy).
The Strategy will assist the Government in achieving its overarching policy goal, which is to maximise the net economic benefit of the tourism industry to the Australian economy. The Strategy will provide a long-term vision for the tourism industry and establish the basis for consistent long-term policy engagement with the tourism industry by successive governments. The Government has signalled that the development of the Strategy will be based on the application of a rigorous economic and industry policy framework.
The primary focus of the Strategy will be on the development of the productive capacity or supply side of the tourism industry. Issues to be considered will include tourism investment, labour and skills, climate change, and infrastructure. Consideration of tourism marketing will broaden the focus beyond leisure tourism to include other high yielding segments such as education and business tourism. It will also consider the impact of changing tastes and preferences across our key and emerging markets.
The Strategy, to be completed by mid 2009, will be developed in close consultation with the tourism industry and all levels of government.
The Government has established a Steering Committee to enable the tourism industry to bring forward ideas for consideration in the development of the Strategy.
The National Tourism Strategy Steering Committee is chaired by Margaret Jackson AC. The oher Committee members are: Christopher Brown, Kayleen Collins, Saul Eslake, Matt Hingerty, Gregory Hywood, Karen Jacobs, Jeff Kennett AC and Jenny Lambert.
To trigger discussion amongst Steering Committee members, the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism has drafted a Discussion Paper 
[PDF, 242 KB] on some of the key supply-side issues which might be considered in the Strategy. The Department has also provided an analysis of the state of the tourism industry [PDF, 1MB] to the Steering Committee.
Comments or questions can be provided by emailing tourismstrategy@ret.gov.au.