According to a new industry snapshot, the mining boom and rapidly expanding fly in fly out workforce is providing both opportunities and challenges for Australia’s tourism industry.

A report by Tourism Research Australia said while some industries within tourism were benefiting from the resources boom, other leisure activities are being crowded out by mining workers.

Tourism Council of WA CEO Evan Hall told WA today while sectors of the industry connected with FIFO were doing well those associated with leisure tourists had suffered.

He said the mining industry had put upwards pressure on accommodation and flight prices for business at the expense of other operators.

He said Broome, one of WA’s prime tourist destinations and also home to the James Price Point gas developments, was a good example of how the resources boom could challenge the tourism industry.

Mr Hall said if the JPP developments went ahead the influx of FIFO workers would stretch Broome’s tourism industry.

He added that “Aviation and accommodation in the town of Broome will benefit, but it’s probably the worst possible news if you’re doing the camel tour along Cable Beach.”

The Tourism Research Australia report said while transport and accommodation services associated with mining were the big winners, the industry in general was struggling to compete with mining to attract workers

Minister for resources, energy, and tourism Mr Martin Ferguson said in a statement the report showed Australia’s resources industry was benefiting tourism. He said that “There is no doubt that many leisure-tourism businesses are struggling from the effects of a strong Australian dollar and staff shortages, especially in mining regions.”

(Sourced from Australian Mining)