In a bid to revitalize its tourism industry, Australia is considering extending its 10-year frequent traveler visa scheme to tourists from Southeast Asian nations and Timor Leste.
The announcement is expected to be made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during a special summit with leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Melbourne on Tuesday, according to Bloomberg.
This initiative, alongside extending business visa validity from three to five years, aims to attract visitors from the region, following a decline in Chinese tourism.
Industry experts attribute this decline to visa-free policies offered by Southeast Asian countries like Thailand and Malaysia.
Previously, Australia offered the 10-year visa scheme to Chinese tourists hoping to capitalize on their vast population.
However, the strategy appears to have been unsuccessful, prompting the government to shift its focus towards Southeast Asia.
SOURCE: Australia Considers Expanding 10-Year Frequent Traveler Visa BY: eTurboNews | eTN