Here's yet another item to add to the list of similarities between Australia and Canada...

The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that the soaring Aussie dollar has hit the tourism industry with the double whammie of declining international visitation and increased overseas travel by Australians looking to spend their now more powerful bucks. 

Sound familiar?

Here's the kicker:  "The Australian Tourism Export Council said local operators must start marketing what was unique about Australia if they were to overcome potential damage caused by the strong dollar."

While Australia is often held up as a casebook study of tourism marketing excellence, the calls are already out for Australia to revamp its "tired image" of "tanned lifesavers and sandy beaches."

In other words, "What the bloody hell do we do now?"