Industry steps up PMC crusade
A newspaper advertising campaign objecting to the increase in the Passenger Movement Charge demonstrates the greatest show of industry solidarity in years, with the crusade set to continue should the $8 hike be approved.
Full page open letters to senators and MP’s appeared in today’s Australian Financial Review and Daily Telegraph urging them to block the increase. Politicians will vote on the issue on Monday.
Should the appeal fall of deaf ears, the industry will highlight to voters exactly who “voted against jobs and against tourism”, Tourism and Transport Forum managing director John Lee told Travel Today.
The adverts have cost almost $100,000 with Flight Centre, TTF, the Australian Federation of Travel Agents , National Tourism Alliance and Australian Tourism Export Council all contributing.
”This is unprecedented,” Lee said. “In over 30 years the main players in travel and tourism have never seen a political campaign like this. We are not like the mining industry, we are not wealthy. Yet we have all dug into our pockets.
“If there is one positive from all this it’s that the industry is united again. The government thought we would lie down and accept the increase and they are getting a shock. There has been a coalition of the willing, a unanimity of purpose and that bodes well for the future.”
AFTA chief executive Jayson Westbury added: “What the Australian Government has to understand is that in the end the travel and tourism industry cannot be underestimated in our resolve to make a point. We do not appreciate being treated like a doormat.”
The adverts send a “clear message” that the tax hike is “unwelcome and overwhelming”, Westbury added.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
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