The federal government is counting on a boost in domestic tourism to help the economy ride out an extended ban on overseas travel, which it says will be one of the last things to change while the pandemic continues.
Nationals MP Pat Conaghan, a key advocate for the government’s $128 million package for travel agents last month, backed industry calls for a bigger scheme like JobKeeper to save tourism jobs.“Travel agents and the tourism industry need an industry-specific support package in line with JobKeeper,” said Mr Conaghan, who represents Cowper on the NSW north coast.
Professor Kelly said the government was open to creating more “travel bubbles” beyond New Zealand with countries with low COVID-19 case numbers. Travel industry executives praised the government for its help so far but said the domestic travel would not replace all of the international business foregone under government rules.
CroweDM It’s not going to happen particularly when states close their borders on a whim. If the rest of the world starts to open up & Australia doesn’t we further risk losing tourists. Australia is too far, too big & too expensive. Any market share we had we will lose. DanTehanWannon
CroweDM Boost in local tourism? It won't happen. 🤔🙄😁
CroweDM This will never end unless we ALL say NO to lockdowns NO to masks NO to closing shops and businesses NO to testing and NO to vaccines. It’s a simple word yet so many people are unable to say it when it really matters. strandedAussies
CroweDM Hotel quarantine is unsatisfactory, unworkable, unconstitutional and unnecessary. selfquarantine homequarantine TestDontTrap NoQuarantine strandedAussies
CroweDM Domestic travel is expensive in Australia compared to travelling overseas. Maybe the federal government should consider that.
CroweDM People are also a bit wary of travelling interstate in Australia in case state borders are closed at the last minute
CroweDM Multicultural country will prefer to wait and spend money abroad where things are cheaper once there and chance to catch up with relatives abroad instead of pay for high prices here. They are dreaming if they think most will just go on holidays here instead
CroweDM Therr could be millions more taking holidays if they were in FT jobs and not contract hire gig economy assisted by the LNP.