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eTN The announcement by the Australian government of more simplified visa arrangements for visitors from the Gulf countries will help boost visitor numbers from this important tourism market, Tourism Australia managing director Scott Morrison said yesterday.
“The minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon. Senator Vanstone, has announced that citizens of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait no longer need to post their passport to the Australian Consulate in Dubai to have a label placed in their passports,” Morrison said.
“The removal of this requirement will streamline and simplify the process for travelers from these countries and make Australia more competitive with other international destinations.
"Travelers from the Gulf are some of our highest yielding visitors and they represent an important growth market. This is particularly good news for the Gold Coast and other destinations outside of the capital cities favored by Gulf travelers, as they spend highly and travel more widely.”
Travel from the Gulf countries is forecast to grow by more than eight percent over the next decade, while actual growth in 2005 was 13 percent. Their average length of stay is 34 nights and their average total trip expenditure was AUD$6,713, an increase of 16 percent in 2004.
Many travelers from the Gulf countries can already apply for an Australian tourist visa over the internet and the recruitment of additional staff in the Dubai consulate will greatly assist in the processing of visas.
Tourism Australia has been working to strengthen the distribution chain for Australian product, and broaden the knowledge and understanding of Australia, through the rollout of the Aussie Specialist Program in the Gulf countries and through events such as Yinala and the Arabian Travel Market.
"In an increasingly competitive international tourism market, it is crucial that Australia maintains its reputation as a safe and welcoming destination.
Tourism Australia commends the efforts of the Australian government to improve access arrangements for important export earners such as visitors from the Gulf countries and the important youth market,” Scott Morrison said. | 
