Tourism an election factor, says study

The tourism industry could play a vital role in deciding the seat of Robertson in the next Federal election, a new study has shown.

The study, conducted by the Tourism and Transport Forum, published tourism employment statistics across Australia and showed that in the seat of Robertson 5.2 per cent of employment was in the tourism industry.

The study found that tourism employment was higher in regional areas, where unemployment was a bigger problem than in capital cities.

It also found that this could play a role in deciding marginal seats, and electorates such as Robertson.

The Peninsula, which is part of Robertson, has a substantial domestic "weekender" tourism industry with attractions such as pelican feeding in Woy Woy, Coastal Eco-Tours in Koolewong and the caravan park at Umina.

The industry will be boosted when the Outrigger Resort at Ettalong opens and the Ettalong hotel is completed.

The study showed that the industry has emerged as a critical provider of jobs in regional Australia associated with water and rail transport, accommodation, and retail.

It also involved food and alcohol outlets, travel agencies and tour operator services.

Tourism Forum managing director Mr Christopher Brown said tourism's political relevance continued to grow.

"Around the country, tourism has been a major new employer as job opportunities in the traditional primary industries have declined," he said.

"Tourism has overtaken farming and mining as the major employer in regional Australia."

Lyle Stone, August 3