Government proposal to hike departure tax slammed by Australian tourism
The tourism and airline industry in Australia has slammed the latest proposal to increase departure tax by up to $270 for first class travellers.
The proposal is included in a wide ranging government review which also outlines a potential increase in tax to $200 for business travellers, while departure tax would be lowered to $42 for economy travellers to New Zealand.
The government says any changes will be revenue neutral.
The proposal has been strongly condemned by the Tourism and Transport Forum.
"At a time when other countries are reducing or removing their departure taxes altogether, any rise in the passenger movement charge would act as a deterrent for potential visitors to Australia," said TTF chief executive Margy Osmond.
"The tourism industry rejects the assertion that any change to the passenger movement charge must be revenue-neutral, because reducing the PMC and improving our visa processing will help attract more visitors to Australia who will spend money throughout the country, supporting jobs and businesses nationwide."
The travel agent industry has also been critical of the proposal.
"The Australian Federation of Travel Agents does not support any changes to the passenger movement charge other than a reduction in the cost by way of the removal of the disparity between the actual cost recovery for the service provided to passengers and the amount charged," said Jayson Westbury, chief executive of AFTA.
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison, who sanctioned the review, said it is was published in order to consult with the industry and does not necessary reflect government policy.
This year the government expects to receive $908 million from the tax.
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 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025