Trans-Tasman visa could bring tens of thousands a year

  • 25/04/2016
Trans-Tasman visa could bring tens of thousands a year

The Tourism Industry Association (TIA) is backing calls for a trans-Tasman tourist visa to cover international visitors.

It would allow visitors to travel between Australia and New Zealand on the same visa - a concept first trialled during last year's Cricket World Cup.

TIA chief executive Chris Roberts says it would be a major boost to our tourism industry.

"We believe it would stimulate tourism to the tune of tens of thousands of visitors a year. Someone planning a trip to Australia will decide to tack on a visit to New Zealand, and someone coming to New Zealand will decide to visit Australia."

He wants to replicate the joint visa’s huge success.

"It was known as the Cricket visa, but actually, over 7000 travellers came from 77 different nations.

"Forty percent of the visitors were actually from China, who weren’t here for cricket of course, who took the opportunity to use that single visa and make their travel easier."

Australia's Tourism and Transport Forum is also backing a trans-Tasman visa.

Newshub.