Inquiry into Australia’s tourism and international education sectors

The tourism and international education sectors are important contributors to the Australian economy. These sectors contracted significantly following the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020 and the subsequent closure of international borders. Noting that Australia has since opened its borders, the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) will inquire into the international education and tourism sectors as key contributors to the post-COVID-19 recovery of the Australian economy, with a focus on:

(i) in relation to tourism:

• the challenges and opportunities for growth in tourism and how Australia can reassert itself as a leader in the international tourism sector;
• the effectiveness of recent tourism campaigns overseas;
• the promotion of regional Australia as a world class international travel destination;
• the role of Australia as a hub in support of tourism in the Asia Pacific region; and
• other related matters that may assist in the inquiry.

(ii) in relation to international education: 

• challenges associated with the loss of international student numbers as a result of the significant disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and effective measures to attract and retain students to Australia;
• online innovations in education delivery and potential opportunities to strengthen the sector's resilience;
• initiatives to ensure positive international student experience and support pathways to build their skills and contribute to Australia's prosperity; and
• opportunities for international education to support strategic and foreign policy objectives.