05 September 2008

Baby boomers driving Australian tourism

A report released by the Australian Pensioner's Insurance Agency (APIA) has shown that more retired Australians are spending more of their time driving around Australia as tourists, reports Business Spectator.

According to APIA, the “grey nomads” are increasingly choosing to spend four to six months on the Australian roads, which is fuelling a boom in the motor home industry and contributing to Australia’s wavering tourism industry.

In response to a downward trend in the numbers of people who visit Australia, Tourism Australia is launching several marketing campaigns to increase international and domestic tourism in various parts of the country, including riding on the wave of Baz LUrhamn’s upcoming blockbuster Australia.

International tourists to Australia need an Australia travel visa, except for New Zealand passport holders.  Visitors wishing to travel the country can apply for a short-stay tourist visa, or ETA, which is valid for three months.  The conditions of the visa mean that tourists cannot work at any time during their stay in Australia.

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The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people apply for an Australia visa.

Article by Jessica Bird, Australian Visa Bureau.