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Queensland mulling tourist tax
Australian state Queensland is considering imposing a new tourist fee.
The Queensland Tourism Industry Reference Panel proposed introducing visitor taxes for local attractions within the state.
“The idea of a visitor levy is not new. It has been modelled, canvassed and debated for the best part of a decade,” the panel’s report noted.
“While we appreciate that views are polarised as to whether it is an appropriate way to raise funding, everyone we spoke with saw a greater need than ever for increased funding.”
The new tax would be pumped back into the sector to maintain state backed tourist attractions and national parks, as well as for marketing.
“We don’t just want to build back to where we were, we want to see the industry grow,” Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchcliffe said.
“We have very different destinations that have very different needs.”
A statewide levy ‘would not work’ the panel said, and proposes local authorities should be able to set a visitor tax.
“Any mechanism needs to be flexible – able to be varied at the local council/destination level to suit local circumstances.”
“I think an accommodation levy, a visitor levy of five to eight per cent in the first couple of years, would be appropriate,” Kevin Byrne of the Cairns Tourism Industry Association said.
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