Fly free but spend up big



INTERNATIONAL tourists could be offered free flights to Australia in a bid to counteract the downturn in tourism due to the global financial crisis [ and weaker Aussie Dollar ].


Under the plan, labelled the "Mayday Project" and due to be put to the Federal Government this week, visitors who take up the offer will be required to spend a specified amount of money, say $5000, within Australia, which would bolster local shops, hotels and restaurants.

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A$5000 = CHF3,858 Fri 20/03/2009 from XE

Hmmm if that's the case we'll sign up to visit the folks and buy all sorts of Aussie stuff when we're there - $5K AUD is easily blown with a family of 4

A word of caution though, you might not get to fly with the premium airlines.

Damn, sounds interesting... Does that include spending on a hotel or only spending money?

Mayday Project includes spending on Hotels, but there are catches as there with the free flights. The Australian government is working out on "partners". Stay tuned, or better still, watch this paper online on a daily basis.