Tourists could turn backpacks on Australia

Tourists could turn backpacks on Australia
By admin


A 28% increase in the working holiday visa could see tourists turn their backpacks on Australia in favour of cheaper destinations, it has been warned.

The rise, from $280 to $360, was ratified yesterday in the government’s mid year economic fiscal outlook.

Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive John Lee said it was wrong to assume people will keep travelling to Australia regardless of cost.

“The government claims that the increase will have a marginal impact but that is where you grow your market share, at the margins,” he said.

“Each fee increase is less money backpackers have to spend once they arrive, which means they visit fewer regional towns as they travel around Australia.”

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Latest News

  • Aviation
  • Breaking News

Air Vanuatu set to fly again after court decides to allow restructure

Air Vanuatu will return to the skies after a restructure by Ernst and Young was approved today by the Supreme Court of Vanuatu. The national carrier is set to fly again, after the Supreme Court of Vanuatu ratified the Deed of Compromise approving an Ernst and Young-led restructure and transferring the company’s shares to AV3 […]

  • Aviation
  • News

Qatar Airways expands to Canada with launch of Toronto flights

Qatar Airways will launch a new service to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) starting on 11 December 2024, with three weekly non-stop flights from Hamad International Airport (DOH). As the airline’s fourteenth gateway to the Americas, the new Toronto route marks the airline’s second destination in Canada, joining Montréal which has served more than 1.6 […]

  • News

ATIA wins big with federal inquiry into tourism and international education

The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) has announced a positive advocacy development, with the Federal Parliament’s inquiry report into Australia’s tourism and international education sectors, incorporating many of ATIA’s key recommendations. The report, titled ‘Are we there yet?’: From recovery to resilience – opportunities and challenges for Australia’s tourism sector, reflects ATIA’s submission and evidence […]

  • Conferences

Iconic ‘Spirit of Sydney’ artwork takes pride of place at ICC Sydney

International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), managed by ASM Global, has announced the addition of the monumental artwork ‘Spirit of Sydney’ by renowned Australian artist Frank Hodgkinson to its collection. Normally reserved for event attendees, members of the community were able to view the iconic ‘Spirit of Sydney’ mural at the venue’s art tours, guided […]

  • Aviation

Etihad Airways offers price cuts on flights for European winter

Etihad Airways has launched deals on select destinations for flights booked by 4 October for travel starting now until 22 March 2025. Round-trip economy fares start from $1,216 to Barcelona, and business fares start from $6,016 for a trip to Vienna. If you book directly on the website you can win a free stopover in […]