Make Visas Simpler, Urges Travel Sector

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) May 13, 2011 -- Australia’s peak body for tourism exports says that in order for Australia to have the competitive edge that it needs to be a global tourist destination; it needs to make simpler its current visa conditions.

As the number of travel visas to Australia and tourist visa to Australia applicants increases and the changes of Australia’s visa requirements and the simplification of the visitor visa to australia are imposed, another sure way to increase Australia’s competitiveness with other global tourist destination countries is to simplify its current visa conditions.

In partnership with the National Tourism Alliance, The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) has argued to implement for changes to the eligibility and conditions of visas in a submission to the federal government's review of visa classifications.

Felicia Mariani, ATEC's MD said in a statement that "The move towards simplifying our visa categories is one action the government can take to keep the welcome mat out there and create an environment that makes us more competitive on the global stage".

Mariani also added that currently Australia has still many roadblocks to becoming a tourist destination which includes the rising Australian dollar, increasing fuel surcharges along with the cost and complexity of getting a visa, among others.

Because international students has accounted for more than 36 per cent of the $17.8 billion overseas tourists spend every year in Australia, the council says that the changes to student visas are particularly important.

The alliance also recommended in the same submission that the 20-hour working week limit on student visas should be scrapped and a special graduate working visa will be introduced.

Mariani stated that these students had contributed a lot to the economy through their employment and has provided labor support to the tourism industry that in turn attracts more international expenditure into Australia’s economy.

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