As a member of the Australian Regional Tourism Network (ARTN), Datatrax supports the organisation’s efforts to represent and promote Australia’s regional tourism industry on the national stage.
‘Since the election regional tourism has lost its representation at the highest level of Federal Government’ says David Sheldon, chair of the Australian Regional Tourism Network.
‘I am concerned that the ARTN, the voice of regional tourism, is not being provided with an opportunity to advise Government on regional tourism initiatives and issues. Some other associations based in metropolitan Australia have highly paid lobbyists and hefty supporters but no real connection to regional destinations. We acknowledge that there are priorities, such as visa reforms, however where is the consultation with the industry in our own backyard, who are the heart and soul of regional tourism,’ commented ARTN’s chair David Sheldon.
At the 2013 Directions Conference held at Parliament House, Canberra, it was announced the tourism industry was selected as one of five super sector industries to lead the Australian economy forward. ‘We need Government to realise that regional tourism is a major component of that super sector industry.’
Mr Sheldon stated that it was time for the Federal Government to step up to the plate and recognise the importance of regional tourism through some effective dialogue as regional tourism has a voice and needs to be heard.
