Australia's Reputation as a Working Holiday Destination on the Mend After Backpacker Tax Controversy

LONDON, May 22, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Australia's reputation as a must-see destination for working holiday makers, aka "backpackers," appears to be back on track according to internal numbers released by The Global Work & Travel Co. - a leading international gap year travel agency.

"During the height of the backpacker tax debate, our London and Vancouver offices were inundated with questions from travellers, unsure how the changes would affect their plans," says Jürgen Himmelmann, CEO of The Global Work & Travel Co. Bookings and enquiries for Australia as a working holiday destination began dropping by as much as 30% as young travellers changed their plans about heading to Australia and looked at other destinations like the USA or New Zealand instead.

The concept of a "working holiday" has been gaining a lot of popularity with young adults in recent years, which may have caught some people by surprise. Media attention on the concept spiked shortly after Malia Obama, daughter of Former US President Barack Obama announced she was taking a gap year to work and travel. But according to Himmelmann, that increase was merely a short-term boost on a steadily climbing trajectory.

It seems that growth has escaped any significant damage from Australia's drawn out and much publicised 'Backpacker Tax' debate. Just 6 months on from Tourism Australia's announcement to spend A$10 Million on attracting working holiday makers, travellers have started to make Australia their #1 working holiday destination again according to The Global Work & Travel Co., who says their number of daily enquiries has not only surpassed the levels before the backpacker tax controversy but increased a further 25%. "It's been hard work to keep up with demand," admits Himmelmann. "We've had to double our bookings team to handle it."

"Young people have a strong desire in seeing foreign cultures, we don't expect interest in working holidays to slow down anytime soon," announced Himmelmann. "Our business makes it easier for them by arranging flights, accommodation, and job opportunities in everything from ski-resorts in Western Canada to a tropical island in the Great Barrier Reef of Australia."

About The Global Work & Travel Co.
The Global Work & Travel Co. was founded in 2008 and serves roughly 10,000 young travellers a year, with 30% of those choosing Australia as their primary destination. The Global Work & Travel Co. team is available for additional comment on this release or other media enquiries.

For more information, contact:
Shaine Bennett
[email protected] 
Phone:1300 40 11 90 (AU)

SOURCE The Global Work & Travel Co.