The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) says collaboration with other industry bodies has pushed the Federal Government to back down on plans to index increases on the Passenger Movement Charge (PMC) that would have ‘damaged’ the industry.

While the PMC will increase by $8 to $55 per visitor departing the country, the Council’s managing director Felicia Mariani said the Government has backed out of plans to raise the CPI, a move which could have been “extremely damaging” to the industry.

“The industry isn’t excited about the prospect of an increase to the PMC, which comes on top of the carbon tax, the high Australian dollar and all the other external pressures faced by tourism businesses right now,” Ms Mariani said.
 
“[However], this decision was a direct result of a coordinated and sustained campaign against this indexation that finally went beyond the halls of Canberra. 

“Industry’s objection to this latest grab for cash was vocal, public and solid in its commitment by ALL industry associations.”