Tourist Development Authority

Full description

Establishment

The Tourist Development Authority was established by Act of Parliament (No.6155) with responsibility for promoting tourist development and publicising the State's tourist attractions.

The Authority inherited the works functions previously administered by the Tourists Resorts Committee which functioned within the Department of Public Works (VA 699).

In order to fully centralise the promotion of Victorian tourism the control and operation of the Victorian Government Tourist Bureaux was transferred from the Victorian Railways Commissioners (VA 2876) to the Authority in April 1959 by virtue of the Tourist (Amendment) Act (No.6467) of December 1958.

The financial basis of this transfer was that the Railways Commissioners (VA 2876) undertook, in return for the maintenance of general railway information and booking services, to pay two-thirds of the cost of operating the Bureaux. Most Railway staff operating the Bureaux transferred to the Public Service.

Functions

The functions of the Authority were:

to recommend to the Minister measures for the publicising and development of the tourist industry in Victoria
to recommend to the Minister the making of payments out of the Tourist Fund for or towards the improvement of tourist facilities in Victoria
subject to the general direction and control of the Minister to operate and administer tourist bureaux in any part of the world
to promote assist and co-ordinate the activities of persons and organisations interested in the development of the tourist industry in Victoria
to investigate such matters relating to the tourist industry as are referred to it by the Minister.

Ministerial Responsibility

Although the Minister of State Development (VRG 51) was responsible for the administration of the Tourist Act (No.6395) and the Tourist Development Authority, the Authority functioned administratively within the Premier's Department (VA 2717) which until 1971 functioned as the department of state for the State Development and Decentralisation portfolio (VRG 51). The Secretary of the Premier's Department (VA 2717) was made the first Chairman of the Authority.

In 1970 a Minister of Tourism (VRG 59) was appointed and the responsibilities and functions of the Authority were transferred to the newly established Ministry of Tourism I (VA 2919).

NOTE: For a brief account of the administration of tourism between 1888 and 1987 see VRG 91 Tourism III.

Location of Records

Records documenting the administration of tourism for the period 1958 to 1970 may also be located within the Premier's Department records (see VA 2717).

See also List of Holdings 2nd edition 1985, section 3.17.1.