TOURISM ADVOCACY LEADS TO QLD BORDER REOPENING TO NSW ON 1 NOVEMBER

TTF Australia CEO Margy Osmond said a united tourism front in pushing for the border to re-open has led to QLD officially opening to NSW on Sunday the 1st of November as announced today by the QLD Government, subject to certain COVID-19 case limits.

“TTF and industry have collectively been calling for clarity and timelines on the reopening of borders and we congratulate the QLD Government for listening to a sector still on its knees,” Margy Osmond said.

“Research from economic consultancy Stafford Strategy highlights that each month our industry is suffering from $3.5 billion in lost domestic tourism spending while domestic borders are closed, including $1.5 billion from Queensland alone.

“Recent momentum on reopenings is a breath of fresh air for tourism, accommodation, aviation and transport businesses right around the country as well as Australians who can begin to plan friends and family visits in the lead-up to Christmas.”

New Newgate Research today reveals that that 75 per cent of Australians want to see all domestic borders open by Christmas and – as the Federal Government announced that Trans-Tasman travel would resume from New Zealand into NSW and NT from 16 October – 68 per cent also want to also see international travel with New Zealand.

“As borders continue to come down, I encourage the Queensland Government agree to National Cabinet’s hotspot definition so that they might also join with NSW and the NT in welcoming back New Zealanders as well as Australians back to the sunshine state,” Margy Osmond continued.

“On COVID-19 we must work together as a national and collectively manage the risk rather than an emergency.”

Ends.

Contact: TTF Manager Policy and Government Relations Lindsay Hermes 0418 948 447 lhermes@ttf.org.au