Nearly eight in ten Australians are blissfully unaware they pay a $60 tax to leave their own country on holidays, according to the results of a new survey released today by the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF).
Unveiled at the TTF’s flagship annual event, Leadership 2019, being held in Sydney today, the study also revealed that over half of the AUD $1.2 billion raised each year by this tax – known as the Passenger Movement Charge – over half goes directly into government coffers and isn’t directly used for its intended purpose, which is to fund Customs, Immigration and Quarantine.
Commissioned by the TTF and conducted by global information and measurement firm Nielsen, the study detailed how Australians love the economic benefits provided through international tourists and that more money should be spent on promoting Australia, particularly regional destinations, to encourage even higher levels of visitation.
Specifically, 65 per cent of respondents believe governments should focus more on tourism and spend more taxpayer dollars pushing regional destinations.
Points of concern and action uncovered included a desire among Australians to review the Passenger Movement Charge and the levels of over-collection; improving visitor infrastructure and investing in airport to city rail networks and regional rail networks.
TTF Chief Executive Officer, Margy Osmond, said the survey results proved conclusively that Australians understand the value of tourism.
“Real Aussies are telling us what they want more tourists and these results should send a strong message to the government about the need to support and invest!”