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 The product will need much improvement. You can’t just wish something to happen but do nothing to make it happen. Some of us enjoy Asian resorts, a bit of luxury, amazing food and excellent service at an affordable price. Very hard to come by when holidaying in Australia. Fact
CroweDM I know some local business owners in the tourism industry who are busier than ever. Record bookings since June. There are winners in this. Stop bringing in people with covid, open up all the borders and there will be even more winners.
CroweDM Yeah fantastic when you have state premiers who now think are prime ministers. Some of the red zones in Sydney haven’t had cases for 60 to 90 days. Northern Beaches just come out of cases and are not classified as red. No chance for domestic.
CroweDM How about speeding up vaccine rollout so those who want to travel to countries that have had countrywide vaccinations can do so?
CroweDM There is no way we can keep the tourism industry alive with just domestic travel.
CroweDM ie Morrison has no idea and is waiting for the Premiers (not you goldstandardgladys ie Morrisoninaskirt) to tell him what to do auspol
CroweDM Nearly 200 billion a year international travel benefits the Aus economy directly. Hundreds of thousands of jobs at stake. Livelihoods, mortgages, rents, etc etc.
CroweDM The data I have access to and anecdotal evidence seems to support that agents seem to still be extremely affected by covid. Suppliers were mostly able to return in a way or another. I expect supplier to have an even better recovery this year.
CroweDM Might help if the Australians who particularly like to travel can be brought home from abroad.😧 So they could, like, travel again domestically?😒