Australia mulls free flights for international tourists
SYDNEY – Australia is debating an audacious plan to fly international tourists to the country for free to beat the economic turndown, which has seen visitor numbers plummet.
There is only one small catch: tourists who take advantage of the free flights would have to guarantee to spend freely in shops, hotels and restaurants while they were in Australia.
The Age newspaper reports that under the proposal, labelled the “Mayday Project” and due to be put to the government this week, airfares – which would be offered at a discounted rate by participating airlines – would be paid for by the government.
Across Australia, the number of international visitors to Australia dropped 30,000 to 5.1 million in 2008. Visitors specifically “on holiday†accounted for 2.04 million of the total – down by 141,000 on the previous year.
The Mayday Project is the brainchild of Independent Tourism Holdings’ innovation director Glenn Millen, who says the free flights, favourable exchange rate and novelty of the promotion would position it strongly to succeed.
“We can really limit the impact of the recessionary slide on tourism through this,” he said.
Independent Tourism Holdings director Steve Cusworth, who is steering the project, will meet with the federal, state and territory governments, as well as airlines and industry players, to discuss the proposal.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026