Australia tourism slams government visa fee increase

The Australian tourism industry has slammed moves by the federal government to hike tourist visa fees.

"Increasing visitor visa application charges is sending Australia in the wrong direction," said Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) chief executive Margy Osmond, adding that Australia could lose out to neighbouring countries "hungry to support their tourism industries".

"With fierce global competition for the visitor dollar, jacking up the cost of visa applications is an enormous own goal."

Osmond said the travel industry had urged the government to reduce the cost of visas from key markets such as China to stay competitive.

However the government announced visa fees for Chinese travellers will rise from A$130 to A$135, adding about A$5 million to government coffers.

It is not just the leisure market that will be impacted, says Association of Australian Convention Bureaux executive director Andrew Hiebl.

"Any increase in border fees and charges, especially within the growth markets of Asia, creates a barrier that challenges corporate incentive bids and delegate boosting campaigns".

Hiebl said research points to 30% of all international business event delegates were from Asia.