SwitchSelect

City councils are planning to ask tourists to pay taxes for their visit to the world-heritage listed Blue Mountains rainforests in New South Wales.

The proposed tourist tax is part of the council’s money-raising plans in addition to travellers’ donation to the council coffers and installing parking meters in favourite   tourist spots, according to  reports in The Daily Telegraph. 

According to the council report, the money raised will be spent to fix ageing infrastructure used to access the "natural environment." The report stated that providing amenities to the visitors free of charge is straining the council’s coffers.
The proposal brief has been sent to some consultants who will recommend to the council the best way to raise more revenues from the tourists.

Tourism chiefs caution that the proposed fund raising moves will drive travellers away from the top destinations when the economy has not yet fully recovered from the GFC and international tourists are finding Australia more expensive because of the strong Australian dollar.

Parking meters at the scenic lookouts are likewise considered as huge disincentives by domestic tourists who are travelling as families or in groups. Having to pay hourly parking fees can significantly raise travelling budgets.  

Chairman Randall Walker of the Blue Mountains Tourism Limited said that he was against imposing tax to travelers as it gives a negative impact that eventually reduce visitors and cause tourism-related establishments to suffer.

While councillor Daniel Miles of Blue Mountains City is not supporting the imposition of a travelling tax, he is agreeable to a $2 fee to enter Echo Point.