Australia travel trade groups hit out at ‘tourism tax’ hike
The Australia tourism industry has slammed the upcoming rise in the Passenger Movement Charge.
The increase in PMC by $10 to $70 was included by Treasurer Jim Chalmers in this week’s Budget.
The increase is effective from July 2024 and will generate about$1.3 billion.
The Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) CEO Margy Osmond said it will add to already high airfares at a time when the industry is struggling to fully bounce back.
“This will make it even more difficult for tourism to bounce back, as cost of living pressures.”
“It will also make it more expensive for international tourists to come to Australia.”
The industry has long described the fee as a stealth ‘tourism tax.’
It was ‘extremely disappointing,’ the Australian Federal of Travel Agents (AFTA) said.
AFTA chief Dean Long said air seat capacity is still about 30% down on 2019 levels and this will prolong the wait to a full recovery.
The increase was also criticised by Joel Katz, MD of CLIA Australasia.
“Australia already charges international travellers some of the highest fees in the world, and this only makes things worse,” Katz said.
Read Full Story
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports