Backpackers 'worth their weight in gold': 13-09-2007
Backpackers are "worth their weight in gold" and must be encouraged to visit Australia, Tourism Minister Fran Bailey said on Thursday.
Spending in Australia by international backpackers grew by about £250 million in the last year, growing by 20 per cent as the total number of visitors rose by almost 556,000, the Tourism Minister reported.
New South Wales and Queensland were the most popular areas for visitors, but South Australia saw the largest surge in popularity, as its total number of visitors grew by 13 per cent year-on-year.
According to Ms Bailey, the increased spending was largely driven by new visa conditions friendly to backpackers.
These visas allow backpackers to undertake a small amount of work while they are travelling throughout Australia, further boosting the local economy.
"This kind of flexibility is helping to provide backpackers with the funds to stay longer, visit further afield and spend more," she told the Age.
And a new agreement with the US and Canadian governments will allow backpackers to stay and work for longer, while Australian visitors will be able to do the same in the opposite countries.
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