Despite the recession, the number of people taking holidays to Australia in order to go backpacking is on the up.
Despite the recession, the number of people taking holidays to Australia in order to go backpacking is on the up.
This is according to the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC), which has said that more people than ever are choosing a back-to-basics trip Down Under.
Spokesperson Matt Hingerty said: “The backpacker market is absolutely booming, we’ve seen visa applications up by 20 per cent out of Germany and Britain alone.”
He speculated that this could be due to Europe’s declining jobs market and a desire to take a break after university before seeking highly contested vacancies.
According to BackpackingAround.com, tourist visas for holidays to Australia are free and last for three months. People who wish to stay longer are required to apply for an extension through their nearest Australian embassy.
However, tourist visas do not allow people to work or study in Australia, it is important to note.
Travellers hoping to do this, perhaps as part of a gap year, should apply for a separate visa.
