The Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP, Minister for Tourism, released the National Long Term-Tourism Strategy (the Strategy), on 15 December 2009. The Strategy 
[PDF, 257KB] outlines the long-term policy framework to position the Australian tourism industry as a sustainable and economically vibrant industry.
State and territory tourism ministers have unanimously endorsed the Strategy and are working with the Australian Government to implement it. The Tourism Ministers’ Council (TMC) is taking the lead role in the implementation of the Strategy. The TMC developed and endorsed a detailed Work Plan [PDF, 501KB] which outlines the initial actions to be undertaken to implement the Strategy.
Industry will play a key role in the implementation of the Strategy through membership aof the working groups the TMC has set up to progress key supply‑side issues.
The Australian Government is working with industry and state and territory governments to
- Improve labour and skills outcomes in the tourism work force and remove impediments to labour mobility;
- Reform regulation that impedes tourism investment and facilitate tourism investment and development;
- Broaden the research base for the industry and improve industry’s access to the information needed by operators;
- Accelerate the uptake of on-line opportunities and smarter use of digital distribution;
- Introduce a national accreditation framework that will drive product innovation and quality;
- Identify strategies to help industry adapt to a carbon constrained future
- Improve access to Australia’s natural and cultural attractions while at the same time improving environmental outcomes; and
- Improve Indigenous tourism development.
Reshaping the tourism policy landscape will assist the tourism industry to realise its full potential on a dynamic path for growth, delivering a revitalised and resilient industry that can achieve its full economic potential. The Strategy will assist the Australian Government in achieving its overarching policy goal, which is to maximise the net economic benefit of the tourism industry to the Australian economy.
The primary focus of the Strategy is on the development of the productive capacity of the tourism industry. The Strategy will help deliver quality tourism product and research that will support policy development, industry development and marketing.
The Strategy was developed in close consultation with the tourism industry and all levels of government.
Comments or questions can be emailed to tourismstrategy@ret.gov.au.
The Jackson Report
The Government 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 was chaired by Margaret Jackson AC. The other Committee members were: Christopher Brown, Kayleen Collins, Saul Eslake, Matt Hingerty, Gregory Hywood, Karen Jacobs, Jeff Kennett AC and Jenny Lambert.
On 13 June 2009, Minister Ferguson thanked the Steering Committee for developing the Jackson Report [PDF, 866KB] which was a key input into the development of the Strategy.