Backpacker tax deal provides much needed certainty

The following is the press release from VTIC regarding the recent decision by the government to lock in a rate of 15%.

The Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) today welcomes the confirmation of the backpacker tax rate at 15 per cent. The compromise deal reached by the Coalition and the Greens provides much needed certainty to tourism businesses and working holiday makers alike, after months of delays and ongoing ambiguity.

Victoria Tourism Industry Council Acting Chief Executive Kristina Burke said: “It will be a relief to tourism businesses who service the backpacker sector that this matter has finally been resolved, but it is frustrating that it has taken so long.”
“The new package of a 15 per cent tax rate on income, combined with the 65 per cent rate on superannuation, is a significant improvement on the original proposal of 32.5 per cent. It will help ensure Australia remains a competitive destination for working holiday makers,” she said.

Youth travellers are an important market for Australian tourism and in the accommodation and restaurants and cafes industries (key segments of the visitor economy), working holiday makers made up the largest component of international workers, at around 6-7 per cent of the total employment.

It is hoped that today’s announcement will go some way to restoring Australia’s credibility and desirability with this key market segment.

“With the Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor honors hospitality businesses that have consistently received strong praise and ratings from travelers,” said Heather Leisman, Vice President of Industry Marketing, TripAdvisor. “This recognition helps travelers identify and book properties that regularly deliver great service. TripAdvisor is proud to play this integral role in helping travelers feel more confident in their booking decisions.”

The Certificate of Excellence accounts for the quality, quantity and recency of reviews submitted by travelers on TripAdvisor over a 12-month period. To qualify, a business must maintain an overall TripAdvisor bubble rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and must have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least 12 months.

SPACE HOTEL ENTERS THE ‘HALL OF FAME’ WITH OUR THIRD CONSECUTIVE WIN FOR BEST BACKPACKER ACCOMODATION AT THE 2015 RACV VICTORIAN TOURISM AWARDS
Space Hotel has once again won the ‪#‎RAVVTA‬ RACV Victorian Tourism Award (VTA) for best Backpacker Accommodation in Victoria. This incredible achievement adds to Space Hotel’s many accolades including five consecutive TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Awards, most recently in 2015. Space Hotel was also named one of the world’s top ‘Poshtels’ by Lonely Planet.
Space Hotel’s win in the ‘Best Backpacker Accommodation’ category sees them inducted into the Hall of Fame, an honour that is awarded to an entrant that has won the same category over 3 consecutive years.
For over 30 years, the RACV Victorian Tourism Awards celebrate and recognise business excellence, innovation and professionalism in the tourism and allied industries in Victoria. This year’s awards were held on the 16th November at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Space Hotel is located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, offering guests affordable and contemporary accommodation with an emphasis on facilitating social experiences. Established in 2011, by a local Melbourne family, Space Hotel continues to grow with innovation stemming from industry research and customer feedback. Their strong family bond encompasses a passion to create a warm, welcoming and dynamic social environment for all travellers.
Our Chief Operating Officer of Space Hotel, Yossi Gallor, was elated and honoured to be recognised by the Victorian Tourism Awards as one of the best tourism properties in the state. “Winning this award for the third time and entering the ‘Hall of Fame’ is a proud moment for us, illustrating our continued growth and success. We look forward to continuing to offer guests the highest standards in backpacker accommodation,” said Gallor

Space Hotel is please to be the official hotel partner of the Schwartz’s CrossFit Challenge. Since it’s inception, the Schwartz’s CrossFit Challenge has remained the premier CrossFit competition in AUS/NZ. Top athletes from around the region descend on Melbourne for a weekend of brutal competition unlike any other outside of the Regionals. Space Hotel is extremely excited to be the official hotel partner of such a prestigious events and looks forward to hosting many of the athletes from around Australia. For more information click here