Australia is to crack down on illegal backpacker hostels in Sydney, which puts the lives of young travellers – many of them British – at risk.
The move comes after an investigation revealed that more than 100 rogue hostels were operating across the city and New South Wales state, with owners often cramming people into unsafe and unsuitable buildings.
A government working party will now probe ways of tackling the growing problem, according to Australia Associated Press.
Tourism minister Sandra Nori said: “There are real dangers associated with trying to cram people into premises that haven’t been set up and designed for backpacking.”
Many don’t have smoke alarms, fire extinguishers or sufficient fire exits.
Among the measures being considered is a ban on all adverts from illegal hostels.
Tens of thousands of young Brits head to Australia every year, many to Sydney and many staying in illegal hostels.
The problem was tragically highlighted in Queensland in 2000 when 15 people dies in a fire while six travellers were also killed in a blaze at a hostel in Sydney’s Kings Cross district in 1989.
Report by Steve Jones
