Monday 14 December

Visa changes can boost backpackers to Australia

New research exploring strategies to boost backpacker tourism in Australia has recommended the introduction of new short-term working holiday visas for international students on completion of their studies. Researchers have estimated that nationally these students represent a huge potential new market that surpasses the more than half a million backpackers who presently visit Australia each year.

Researchers have also proposed changes to the conditions of the existing Working Holiday Maker Visa which is secured by a significant proportion of international backpackers. In 2007-08 visitors using these visas were estimated to be worth $1.8 billion to the national economy. The suggested changes include the ability to extend the visas and a reduction in required working hours.

The research from Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre (STCRC) surveyed holidaying backpackers eight popular Australian backpacker destinations. It identified that for more than 40% of international backpackers the working holiday was principal to their Australian visit.

STCRC’s CEO, Ian Kean says that while Australia’s backpacker market has enjoyed a period of growth over the past 10 years, STCRC commissioned the research to ensure Australia continues to not only maintain but build its international market share. “This research involved extensive consultation with national and international stakeholders and input from more than 1500 backpackers holidaying in Australia,” Mr Kean said. “It has delivered five short-term and seven longer-term strategies that can be implemented by individual backpacker businesses, destination managers and policy-makers.”

These strategies include the development of technology centres for ‘techpackers’, backpackers seeking technology enabling travel experiences, new high-energy adrenalin experiences and expansion of healthy lifestyle opportunities in regional centres.

Australian Tourism Export Council Managing Director Matt Hingerty says the research is timely. “In an extremely challenging economic environment, the backpacker sector is one of the few bright spots of the Australian inbound tourism industry,” Mr Hingerty said. “As such it is an incredibly important segment of our industry, and one which will only grow in prominence in the future.”

Survey respondents were asked to assess the importance of seven emerging backpacker holiday trends and the ability for Australia to deliver product or experiences in line with the trends. A dominating trend was travelling to experience intense physical adrenalin experiences such as skydiving, bungee jumping, skiing, rafting, diving, surfing and trekking. New Zealand (42%), Australia (36%) are the top two countries in the list of countries delivering such experiences.

James Cook University’s Professor Philip Pearce who conducted the research on behalf of STCRC says the strategies presented in the report present Australia with an opportunity to further build its competitiveness in the international backpacker tourism market. “The research looked beyond the local scene and explored international trends as well and what it tells us is that Australia is competitive in a number of key areas but we have to keep working to develop new and fresh areas of interest as well,” Professor Pearce said.