What you need to know about the 2018 budget

Australian money on white

Exciting news, folks, it’s budget day!

Well, technically yesterday was because it was announced last night but we didn’t want to hang around the office too late so we are now declaring today budget day instead.

Anyway, we’ve sifted through this year’s budget to find out how it will affect the travel industry and boy there is a lot to unpack.

Here are our main takeaways:

Airport security gets a boost

According to the SBS, body scanners and advanced x-ray equipment will be rolled out across both major and regional airports.

A new law has also been proposed allowing federal police officers to conduct identity checks at airports and order people to leave the premises, plus more than 140 counter-terrorism officers are to be deployed at airports with another 50 providing tactical intel and support.

Funding for cruise sector plus solutions for Sydney’s berthing issues

A statement from the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, Steven Ciobo said the cruise sector contributes $2.7 billion to the Australian economy each year and is growing rapidly.

“This Budget will fund work to identify solutions to the lack of berthing infrastructure in Sydney, Australia’s cruise gateway, ensuring our share of the cruise ship market continues to grow,” said Ciobo.

Boost to regional tourism

The same statement said the government will put $45 million in grants through the Building Better Regions Fund to help move tourists beyond the major cities.

These funds will support projects in regional areas and encourage more visits and expenditure in regional locations, creating more tourism jobs for Australians.

Online booking faces holiday tax

Under existing laws, online booking websites based outside Australia are exempt from marking up hotel prices with the 10 per cent GST.

The New Daily reports the new budget will close this loophole, meaning Australians will have to pay extra to book through websites such as Booking.com, Expedia and Trivago.

“Removing the exemption will level the playing field by ensuring the same tax treatment of Australian hotel accommodation, whether booked through a domestic or offshore company,” said the government.

Latest News

  • Products

Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun

If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]

  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips

The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]

  • Aviation

Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak

Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]

  • Hotels

Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]

  • Luxury
  • News

Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards

Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]