Australians urged to "have a life" and holiday in Alice Springs

The Mayor of Alice Springs said this week he will be using a tourism marketing campaign to encourage overworked Australians to use their holiday leave to see Central Australia, reports ABC News.

Mayor Damien Ryan said too many Australians are not using their entitled leave and should take advantage of the new Tiger Airways flights to Alice Springs. He said the increased travel options to the Red Centre now make it possible for more Australians to spend a long weekend in parts of the country they usually considered remote.

Mr Ryan also said around 120 million days off have been accrued by Australians and people should be encouraged to use them.

"We need to follow along the fact that if you don't have leave, you don't have a life and let's get out there and spend some of those days."

In related news, the Australian Regional Tourism Convention organisers have announced Alice Springs will be hosting the annual event next year. Tourism Northern Territory and Tourism Central Australia (TCA) put in their bids so that the region can be put back in the tourism spotlight, reports the Centralian Advocate.

Tourism Australia, the Federal, State and Local Governments and tourism organisations and boards have also started targeting their marketing to entice more international travellers to visit Australia in response to dwindling tourist numbers.

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.

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.