Australia News
Bad Boys, Bad Boys, Whatcha Gonna Do?
Ever wondered why it is you got targeted at customs while the long-haired hippie backpacker slid right on through? An excellent article entitled, “Cold targeting: the front line” gives readers inside access to the jobs of customs officers trained in ” observational and psychological techniques to recognise the out of place, the unusual” including dresses where the buttons were slightly too large (full of heroin), a group of men who all wore the same style of shoes (also carrying drugs) and a bodybuilder who had a pouchy stomach (was wearing strapped on narcotics). According to the article, …
Date: June 11th, 2005 | No Comments
Government �may scrap� tourism GST
The Federal Government may back down from a plan to make foreign tourism operators pay GST.
The government is reconsidering its stance after a report revealed the move could deter thousands of visitors from Australia, according to The Australian.
The departmental report, commissioned by Tourism Minister Fran Bailey, found that the Australian market would lose 35,000 tourists and suffer losses of $150 million in visitor spending if the laws went ahead. From Government �may scrap� tourism GST
Date: May 18th, 2005 | No Comments
Tourists rediscover the Sunshine State
THE catchcry may be for sun one day and perfection the next, but the grey clouds that have been casting gloom over Queensland’s tourism industry over the last few years have only just started to disappear.
The inclement weather seems to have passed after the sector lurched from one storm to another with the collapse of Ansett, fears of a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic and post-September 11 terror threats.
A few seasons on and time has healed the fears of many travellers and the sun has started to shine on Queensland tourism again. From Tourists rediscover …
Date: May 16th, 2005 | No Comments
Gloom for sunshine state as backpackers fly south
IT is almost unthinkable: international backpackers are deserting the reef, rainforests and beaches of tropical Queensland for the grey skies and green rolling hills of Victoria.
While Queensland still attracts more backpackers than any other state, the latest figures from the Regional Tourism Activity Monitor show it has shed 10 per cent of its visitors since 2003, and Victoria has boosted its numbers through savvy marketing, major sporting events and the availability of fruit-picking jobs.
International Visitor Survey figures show that, between 1999 and 2004, Victoria gained more backpackers than any other state and boosted the number of nights they spend …
Date: May 8th, 2005 | No Comments
Have locked bags, will travel
THE recent deluge of negative press involving Australians in Bali has not turned people off holidaying on the resort island, but most are taking extra precautions.
“Every aperture of our luggage has a padlock on it, which we wouldn’t have done before,” said Ken Postill of Sydney, who is spending six days in Bali with his wife Joanne and two young children.
A lot of friends had warned them off coming because of a common perception in Australia that Schapelle Corby had been unfairly treated by the Indonesian justice system, he said.
Prosecutors last week demanded a Bali court sentence Corby to life …
Date: May 6th, 2005 | No Comments
Explore pristine coral reefs in Timor-Leste
THREE years after East Timor became independent from Indonesia, Australians are starting to look at the world’s newest nation as a tourist destination.
Hotels and restaurants are improving in price and quality, you can fly there direct from Darwin by Airnorth, and the new expedition cruise ship Orion will soon start calling there regularly.
What’s now officially called the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste hopes to have its application for membership of the World Tourist Organisation approved in November. From Explore pristine coral reefs in Timor-Leste
I’ve wanted to vist fomerly-called East Timor since writing a paper on the country while studying in …
Date: May 23rd, 2005 | No Comments
Inbound tourism worth $32b in a decade
The value of inbound tourism will grow to $32.1 billion by 2014, by which time China will be Australia’s top earning market.
Inbound tourism’s value will grow at an average 6.3 per cent from $18.5 billion, according to the inaugural release of economic value market forecasts from the Tourism Forecasting Committee.
As the top earner, the UK market contributed about $2.8 billion to tourism earnings in 2004 and that market will grow to $4.8 billion in the coming decade. From Inbound tourism worth $32b in a decade
Date: May 17th, 2005 | 1 comment
Road travel is domestic tourism key
Road travel is “by far the greatest contributor” to Australian domestic tourism, according to Federal Tourism Minister Fran Bailey.
About 75 percent of all domestic tourism trips taken in 2004 were taken by road.
Ms Bailey said this meant road travel was also a vital link in the economic fortunes of remote and regional Australia.
“For many Australians, a great family holiday is going for a drive with a caravan in tow or a tent in the boot, finding a great space and exploring what the local region has to offer,” Ms Bailey said.
From Road travel is domestic tourism key
Backpackers, you …
Date: May 15th, 2005 | No Comments
Educated travelling well
Strength in student travel reflects overall health in travel services, despite the internet.
Student travel is a growth sector of the travel industry. STA has expanded from being a niche operator into the mainstream. Flight Centre has moved into the market with its own brand - Student Flights.
Now another company, Orient Express Travel Group, is creating a string of student travel centres across Australia called Asian Student Travel, aimed at a particular segment of that market. From Educated travelling well
Date: May 7th, 2005 | No Comments
Shonky operators hurt backpacker market
DODGY backpacker hostels are placing guests at risk through unhygienic, overcrowded premises which do not adhere to fire and other safety regulations, according to a report commissioned by the tourism industry.
At the same time that the illegitimate operators were financially hurting legal establishments, they were also depriving state and federal authorities of revenue, the Australian Tourism Export Council was told. From Shonky operators hurt backpacker market
From the ‘no duh’ files….
I’ve stayed in some not-so-nice and definitely not-legit places before and I don’t recommend it. Saving a buck or two while taking extra risks with your safety …
Date: May 4th, 2005 | No Comments