Virgin keen to offer free flights

[NickN]

VIRGIN is willing to work with the Federal Government to offer free flights to Australia to get the economy moving again.

Last week, The Age revealed plans before the Government to supply free flights to international visitors, as long as they spend a certain amount of money in Australia's hotels, shops and restaurants.

The Mayday Project is the brainchild of Independent Tourism Holdings innovation director Glenn Millen, who believes the stimulus package would reinvigorate the local tourism scene.

The idea is supported by Virgin Blue's chief executive, Brett Godfrey, who says it could be this generation's answer to the "ten-pound Pom" fares offered after World War II to encourage British citizens to migrate to Australia. "There are some clever ideas out there and, frankly, I think that is a really good idea," he said. "It has the ability to make Australia a stand-out market. You have to do something out of the ordinary to get people's attention."

Mr Godfrey, who now has Virgin's international carrier V Australia to offer, called on the Government to support the project.

Asked if Virgin would be involved in the Mayday Project, Mr Godfrey said: "Sure we would be. I don't see a lot of downside in it for the tourism industry at all. In fact, I see nothing but positives."

But Qantas will not rush to get involved. "We as a group believe that there are probably more effective ways to assist the local travel and tourism sector," a spokesman said

http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-...0319-93fs.html