The Australian Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson, has encouraged Australians to use up their accrued annual leave and holiday in Australia this Christmas.

"I would like to take this opportunity to remind the Australian workforce, that with the holiday season fast approaching and with the Australian Government's AUD$10.4bn Economic Security Package kicking in on the 8th of December, we all should think about having a holiday here in Australia this summer holiday period," he said. "I would also like to remind Australian employers that it is in their interest to encourage employees to take leave - rather than letting it accrue.

"I do not think it is acceptable that Australian workers presently have 129 million days of accrued annual and long service leave, which has an estimated wage value to employers in the order of $29 billion. "It is in the interest of all concerned to get this accrued leave off the books.

"Australians should be encouraged to take a holiday at home so as to assist all those hard-working people within the tourism industry who are doing it tough at present as a result of the impact of the Global Financial Crisis. "Given that the average Australian domestic tourist spends $127 per night, it is clear that if even a modest portion of our 129 million days of accrued leave is dedicated to a local holiday, the economic benefits for our tourist operators will be significant.

"The Australian Government and Tourism Australia will work with the Australian business sector to try to encourage Australians to use the leave to which they are presently entitled and I look forward to making further announcements relating to this important initiative in the coming days."