Federal Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb and Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher today released the Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island Tourism Employment Plan addressing regional skills and labour needs.

"The jobs of over 929,000 Australians are linked to tourism and for every dollar spent on tourism, it generates an additional 90 cents across our economy.  That is more than what is generated from mining and resources, education and retail," Mr Robb said.

"Australia is uniquely positioned to capitalise on the demand from the emerging middle classes of Asia who are seeking clean, green food produce, wine and natural landscape tourism experiences – which Victoria is renowned for. It is vitally important we grow our tourism and hospitality workforce to meet this demand," Mr Robb said.

Ms Asher said the plan was an important part of supporting regional Victorian tourism.

"Phillip Island and the Mornington Peninsula are among the top destinations for both domestic and international visitors to Victoria, and the Tourism Employment Plan will help build a sustainable tourism and hospitality workforce for the region’s future," Ms Asher said.

The Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island Tourism Employment Plan comprises 11 individual initiatives. These include tailored training programs along with a Regional Program Guide which outlines a range of government and industry programs and tools available to assist businesses and prospective employees address local labour and skills issues.

Member for Nepean Martin Dixon, Member for Mornington David Morris, Member for Hastings Neale Burgess and Member for Bass Ken Smith all welcomed the Tourism Employment Plan and the Program Guide.

The Mornington Peninsula and Phillip Island Tourism Employment Plan was developed in collaboration with the region’s tourism and hospitality stakeholders including business owners, the regional tourism boards, local government, Tourism Victoria and Austrade.

This constitutes a partnership, Tourism 2020, between the Australian state and territory governments expected to increase Australia’s share of overnight tourism spend to between $115 billion and $140 billion by 2020.

Further information about the Tourism Employment Plan and other Tourism 2020 labour and skills initiatives is at www.Tourism2020.gov.au.