another year without international touristsTourism and Transport Forum chief executive Margy Osmond said the delay to reopening borders meant more job losses and collapse of businesses in an already struggling sector.
The budget assumes international borders will remain shut until mid-2022, about six months after the expected completion of the national vaccine rollout. While some international travel bubbles may open sooner, such as the arrangement with New Zealand, quarantine programs will remain in place for some time, limiting numbers of arrivals.
Mr Frydenberg pointed to the $1.2 billion support package for the aviation and tourism sectors, announced in the budget, that would keep travel agents, attractions and tourism operators afloat, and protect about 8000 local aviation jobs. “But, of course, our first priority, Michael, is to keep Australians safe and to follow the medical advice, as we’ve always done through this crisis.”
Innes Willox, chief executive of the Australian Industry Group, said businesses need the border to be open “sooner rather than later”. Business Council chief executive Jennifer Westacott called for a “consistent, clear and understood national road map that outlines how we permanently reopen the domestic economy and gradually reopen our international borders”.
Agree.. we already lost.
Once we have a high percentage of immunised people, there is no reason to close borders to those who have been immunised, other than to promote fear and keep the power hungry happy.
Will wait till every other country is at below 10 in 60 days first.
nitagreenqld Australia will be rediscovered in 2040 by Gen Pandemic as they set off in the solar boats in search of the mysterious Great Southern Lost Kingdom.
Err I don’t think so! The priority is to keep the country and communities safe, that should always remain so. Australia 🇦🇺 is the luckiest country in the world as remaining countries battle away which is all very sad.
Well there wont be anything to come too if we reopen and become like the UK and India etc. Yes its tough, but think outside the box to attract Aussies to visit you!
Our owner is calling for borders to be open. Whats the point of vaccine if cant go no where? Seems only vips can come and go in aus rest of us stay home. The policy is racist our owners wife is malaysian why cant she see her parents or his son see his grand paren ts ?
Stuff the tourism bosses boarders should be closed for 2 more years
political_alert They're making us exclusive. All part of their cunning plan
Biosecurity before o/s visitors - the same as 1+0=1