by Mat Churchill

Looking for something else to claim on your tax? A proposal has been put to the Federal Government which would allow Australians to get a tax rebate for taking domestic holidays.

According to Bill Calderwood of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, the current 'No Leave, No Life' campaign, designed to encourage us to take holidays within our own country isn't working.

That campaign has been managed by Tourism Australia and has been running for about a year.

"It's currently being reviewed and is having a refresh," said Doug Ryan, Executive Officer of TPDD. "The website got a lot of hits but it's hard to measure how many of those were converted into holidays."

But it's the tax concessions which seem to be generating interest. "I think it would have a great effect, providing people with an incentive to take a domestic holiday," Mr Calderwood said. "It's very hard to change deep rooted behavioural habits of people by using a media campaign that's intermittent.

"I think we need to use a whole series of different devices which are going to help people understand more effectively the benefits of taking a holiday."

The proposal states that people could claim a rebate on airfares and accommodation when they submit their next tax return.

"Tourism employs around half a million people around Australia. It makes sense to encourage people to take domestic holidays." Mr Calderwood said.

Mr Ryan has also thrown his support behind the concept, "I think it's a fantastic idea. You would require federal and state action to make it happen but I think it would be worth the effort." he said.