The rise to power for Gordon Brown in the UK could mean problems for Australian tourism, as tax hikes on long-haul flights from the UK are a likelihood, a conference was told.
Jerry Bridge, from the London-based Bridge and Wickers tour agency, told the TRENZ tourism conference in Rotorua, New Zealand, that he feared Mr Brown would further increase airport departure taxes due to environmental issues.
"It will have an impact on people's travel, especially if you are a family of four or five. I think that people are beginning to think twice about the frequency of when they travel Down Under," he commented.
Bridge said that the combination of environmental concerns on the impact of long-haul travel, along with the hit of departure taxes would result in Australia becoming a less attractive destination for UK travellers.
"With all these negative letters in the press and with airport taxes rising there is genuine concern that it will have an impact on people's booking process," he added.
He told of the likelihood that Brown would again seek to double the airport departure tax from the UK, after replacing Tony Blair as British prime minister .
As Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, or finance minister, Brown already doubled the tax on long-haul flights in 2006.
Britain is one of the most vital tourism markets for Australia, as it brought in 741,000 visitors in the 12 months to March 2007, which was only bettered by travellers from New Zealand .
Damien O'Connor, New Zealand's tourism minister, also stated to conference delegates that European visitors were concerned about the environmental impacts of long-haul flights .
"I believe that committing to a sustainable future is the only way forward for tourism . We have no choice because our visitors will become increasingly more discerning in the face of growing global awareness of carbon emissions, travel miles and climate change," he said.
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Australian Tourism Could Be Hit By Gordon Brown Tue, 22 May 2007      Recommended linksYour online travel portalFind great flight deals Holiday deals to Australia Compare travel insurance deals Australia Issues Revised Travel Advice for Fiji British Tourism Week to be launched |
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