BRISBANE, Australia, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) on Tuesday called on the federal government to use the Tax and Future Jobs Forums in Canberra to give the nation's struggling tourism industry a booster shot by making changes to working holiday visas.
The Australian peak tourism export body said now is the time for the government to make changes that will move the Australian economy onto a new trajectory.
"It is now crucial that the federal government looks at ways to support other industries, such as tourism, to get the maximum advantage from Australia's overall strength and bring forward new opportunities for all," ATEC Managing Director Felicia Mariani said.
Mariani said working holiday visas should be changed to allow people to stay in Australia an extra year if they work in a regional tourism area.
The ATEC is calling for the government to increase the age limits and allow young people to apply for the visa a second time.
"If the Australian tourism industry is to take full advantage of growth opportunities over the next 10 years, particularly from Asia, it is crucial we are able to source a skilled workforce," Mariani said in a statement.
"Tourism and hospitality needs the right labor force in order to provide the quality of service and experience demanded by an international traveler, and regional operators in particular have always struggled to find enough workers."
A report in 2009 by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship found that Australians were reluctant to move to regional areas to meet the short-term labor needs of the tourism industry and Working Holiday Maker's provided an important workforce for a significant number for regional operators.
