Tourism Australia is urging Australians to venture forth and spend money on a holiday at home to keep the economy firing - or at least start planning a staycation.

The tourism body has hired homegrown personalities Hamish Blake and Zoe Foster-Blake to help inspire domestic travellers to not only book a hotel or resort – but to get out and try new experiences while helping Australian businesses to survive.

“With the peak summer travel period just around the corner, it is crucial that we continue to remind people of all the incredible destinations and tourism experiences that are right on their doorstep waiting to be explored,” said Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison.

“Our Holiday Here This Year campaign is all about galvanising Australians to support their fellow Australians by booking a holiday wherever they can around the country.”

In the coming months Harrison said TA will launch a series of initiatives to help drive domestic demand – particularly to areas and operators most reliant on international visitors.

The tourism industry employs one in 13 Australians. Last year it generated close to $61bn, or 3.5 per cent of GDP. This year it is estimated to be losing some $10bn a month, putting some 660,000 jobs at risk.

Federal Tourism Minister, Simon Birmingham, urged Australians to help the industry survive.

“With interstate travel now possible to many parts of Australia, there isn’t a better opportunity than right now for Aussies to book a plane ticket, head to an interstate destination and help save a tourism business or the job of a fellow Australian,” he said.

“With our international borders expected to remain closed for the foreseeable future and the summer holidays only a couple of months away, this is a shout out to all Australians who are in a position to do so, to try something new and consider booking a holiday to a destination within Australia they have never been to before.

“Whether it be a surf lesson in Byron Bay, a wine tasting experience in the Adelaide Hills, a boat trip out to the Great Barrier Reef or a guided walking tour in the Top End, Australia has so many unique and wonderful tourism experiences.”

The campaign, from M&C Saatchi, will be executed in phases across the states to reflect local travel restrictions.