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The announcement by the Australian Government of more simplified visa arrangements for visitors from the Gulf Countries will help boost visitation from this important overseas tourism market, Tourism Australia…
The announcement by the Australian Government of more simplified visa arrangements for visitors from the Gulf Countries will help boost visitation from this important overseas tourism market, Tourism Australia Managing Director, Scott Morrison said.
“The Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Senator Vanstone, has announced that citizens of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait no longer need to post their passport to the Australian Consulate in Dubai to have a label placed in their passports,” Scott Morrison said.
“The removal of this requirement will streamline and simplify the process for travellers from these countries and make Australia more competitive with other international destinations. Travellers from the Gulf are some of our highest yielding visitors and they represent an important growth market. This is particularly good news for the Gold Coast and other destinations outside of the capital cities favoured by Gulf travellers, as they spend highly and travel more widely.”
Travel from the Gulf Countries is forecast to grow by more than 8 per cent over the next decade, while actual growth in 2005 was 13 per cent. Their average length of stay is 34 nights and their average total trip expenditure was AUD$6,713, an increase of 16 per cent in 2004.
Many travellers from the Gulf Countries can already apply for an Australian tourist visa over the internet and the recruitment of additional staff in the Dubai Consulate will greatly assist in the processing of visas.
Tourism Australia has been working to strengthen the distribution chain for Australian product, and broaden the knowledge and understanding of Australia, through the roll-out of the Aussie Specialist Programme in the Gulf Countries and through events such as Yinala and the Arabian Travel Market.
“In an increasingly competitive international tourism market, it is crucial that Australia maintains its reputation as a safe and welcoming destination. Tourism Australia commends the efforts of the Australian Government to improve access arrangements for important export earners such as visitors from the Gulf Countries and the important youth market,” Scott Morrison said.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
