Australians thinking of heading to the West Indies next year to watch the cricket world cup are in for an unpleasant surprise when they apply for a visa. The government of the West Indies has slapped a $ 128 acceptance fee on visas - a move expected to increase that country's coffers by about $ 10 million.
It seems this fee only applies to Australians. It does not apply to holders of British, South African, United States or Canadian passports.
Hopefully most Australians will choose not to contribute to this act of banditry and decline to visit the islands of Antigua, Jamaica and Barbados for the world cup. It is also hoped that the Australian governmentg shows it's displeasure by slapping a similar acceptance fee on applications for a visa to visit Australia by West Indies citizens.
There are other pleasant countries in the world to visit - and watching the world cup on television might finally get the West Indies government to realise the money gained by this visa fee is small compared to the amounts tourists spend on their holiday. If Australians boycott the West Indies next year it will be the fault of greedy government !
