Minister hits back over PMC attack

Minister hits back over PMC attack
By admin


One fifth of all revenue raised by Australia's passenger movement charge (PMC) is given back to the travel industry through grants, according to tourism minister Gary Gray.

The comments come in the wake of criticism by International Air Transport Association (IATA) boss Tony Tyler who claimed the tax does "economic damage" to Australia and is a barrier for potential tourists.

"The charge of $55 also funds a range of border protection and transport security measures that help provide consumers with the confidence to fly," Gray, pictured right, said.

Tyler had suggested that the PMC was not only having a negative affect on air traffic out of Australia, but that its scrapping would potentially create 17,000 jobs.

However, Gray said that since the July 2012 lift in the PMC from $47 to $55, passenger numbers had grown by 5%.

"It needs to be considered in the context of an Australian tourism industry that is worth $107 billion. It is the eighth largest by visitor spend, with average international visitor spending almost $5000 in Australia," Gray said.

Latest News

  • Aviation

Low-cost Indian carrier SpiceJet continues to burn cash

It’s not just low-cost Australian carriers that are facing hardship. SpiceJet, India’s version of Bonza, recently announced a 72 per cent reduction in its net loss versus last year. But, despite this improvement, the airline has posted losses for six straight years. But it has secured board approval to raise up to INR 30 billion […]

  • Attractions

SAKA Museum recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024

AYANA Resort Bali’s newly-opened cultural and events centre, SAKA Museum has been recognised in TIME magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list for 2024. Part of AYANA Bali’s resort destination, the museum integrates Bali’s rich history with state-of-the-art facilities, making it the centrepiece for the island’s spiritual and cultural heritage. TIME magazine’s inclusion of SAKA Museum in […]

  • Cruise

Silversea taps Barbara Biffi as senior vice president for global sales

Ultra-luxury and expedition cruise travel brand, Silverseas, has announced Barbara Biffi as its new senior vice president of global sales. Biffi joined the company in 2007, holding numerous positions and gaining a deep understanding of the brand, the preferences of its guests and its strategic goals, the company said. An Italian national with a wealth […]

  • Technology
  • Travel Agents

Amadeus welcomes FCM Travel as new reseller partner of Cytric Easy

Cytric Easy, the travel management tool embedded in Microsoft Teams, is to be integrated into FCM Travel portfolio. Amadeus and FCM Travel have extended their Cytric distribution agreement to include Cytric Easy. With this new agreement, global travel management company FCM Travel, becomes a reseller of the innovative travel management collaboration solution embedded into Microsoft […]