The tourism industry is urging the Home Affairs Department to speed up the processing of tourist visas as some travellers face months-long delays to enter Australia.
The tourism industry is urging the Home Affairs Department to speed up the processing of tourist visas as some travellers face months-long delays to enter Australia to holiday or see family.Leonora Luff's family in the Philippines has been waiting five months for tourist visas to visit AustraliaWhile there was much fanfare when Australia fully reopened to the world in February, the recovery for tourist operators has been sluggish, with overseas arrivals still far below pre-pandemic levels.
"It is actually damaging our brand not to be able to get those visas out the door as quickly as possible in the most appropriate way."Leonora Luff cannot wait to see her family. They have not heard back from the department and applicants are unable to check on the status of their application."The stress to the family, the emotional toll and the psychological toll, it can be unbearable," she said.The Home Affairs Department said it had experienced a 427 per cent increase in visitor visa holders since the border was partially reopened to some travellers in November last year.
Many operators, such as BridgeClimb in Sydney, which runs the iconic Harbour Bridge climbing tour, are yet to see pre-pandemic numbers of foreign tourists return."We couldn't keep going at this rate for an elongated period of time," chief executive Deb Zimmer said.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Russian foreign minister cancels Serbia visit after neighbours close airspaceRussian foreign ministry blames west after Sergei Lavrov's visit to ally Belgrade is scrapped
Read more »
Albanese, Joko urged to fix visa system as Bali welcomes back Aussie touristsAustralia and Indonesia are being urged to simplify visa rules to make it easier to travel between the two countries, as Anthony Albanese leads a delegation to the country.
Read more »
Environment to-do list: five ministerial priorities for Tanya PlibersekAustralia’s new minister faces difficult challenges fixing laws, creating an EPA and curbing an extinction crisis
Read more »
Albanese, Joko urged to fix visa system as Bali welcomes back Aussie touristsEasier travel between Australia and Indonesia, as well as a need for more flights to Bali, are key talking points ahead of a high-level diplomatic visit | jamesmassola ChrisBarrett_
Read more »
Anthony Albanese visits Western Australia for first time since election win, vows to be 'regular visitor'Anthony Albanese thanks West Australians for their support during his first trip to the state since becoming Prime Minister, and recommits to visiting WA regularly.
Read more »
'Concrete actions' key to resetting China-Australia ties, Foreign Minister Wang Yi saysChina's foreign minister says he sees a path forward to repair the bilateral relationship between China and Australia.
Read more »