AU and NZ tourism associations are urging governments to lower taxes on air travel across the Tasman as a means of encouraging more sporting fans to cross the ditch.
The topic of Tasman taxes comes a few weeks before the annual Cricket World Cup finals take place in Melbourne and a couple of days after Aussies lost a match to the Kiwis.
According to a recent study conducted by the Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) and Tourism Industry Association (TIA) NZ, one third of trans-Tasman travel is by those attending a major event, with the majority watching a sporting fixture.
Associations say cheaper taxes on Tasman services will encourage more sporting fans to cross the ditch. Image: Lucky Business/Shutterstock
However, two thirds of those polled said they would be more likely to travel if the journey time was shorter.
The associations say reducing airport red tape and lowering taxes are key to encouraging more sports fans to cross the Tasman Sea more often.
“The real shocker is that 70 per cent of Kiwis said there was a major event they had wanted to attend in Australia, but didn’t, citing cost as the key deterrent. This should be a real wake up call for the Australian government. There is huge interest in visiting our country, but we’re turning away potential visitors through our sky-high tax on air tickets.”
Margy Osmond, TTF Chief Executive
Aussies surveyed said they’d like to see quicker journey times, which could be achieved by reducing unnecessary queues when leaving and entering the two countries.
Mrs Osmond said the research reinforced the view that cost was a barrier to travel.
Currently, Australia’s departure tax is $55 per person – a figure Mrs Osmond said is a deterrent to ‘price sensitive’ Kiwis.
“Removing this tax – which can add up to over $200 for a family of four with teenage kids – would make air fares cheaper and Australia more attractive.”
Margy Osmond, TTF Chief Executive
Meanwhile, Chris Roberts from TIA is encouraging governments to make travel across the Tasman as easy as a domestic flight rather than an international getaway.
He said using technology on passport control and bag inspections would help ease travel time and create a ‘true common border’ between Australia and New Zealand.