Any increases in visa costs would be a short-lived budget gain that puts at risk the $27 billion contribution inbound tourism makes to the Australian economy and its potential growth, which is estimated to be over $30 billion by 2020.

From 1.1.13 the fee will have doubled since 2005 from $180 to $360. Expressed in UK pounds it will have more than trebled, Euros more than 2.5 times.This kind of gouging will have a critical impact on our international competitiveness in the lucrative youth market.