The Australian tourism industry has come together in a call to the nation’s State Premiers and Chief Ministers to re-open borders as part of a grassroots campaign to #SaveAussieTourism.
In the spirit of an industry-led petition, an open online letter has been endorsed by tourism’s high profilers as well as its smaller independent operators and appeals to the states’ leaders to demonstrate a way forward to restore interstate travel and protect the domestic tourism market.
Craig Bradbery, Chief Operating Officer of Baillie Lodges, who penned the open letter, said the industry’s opportunity to benefit by reaching a whole new market of domestic travellers created by restrictions to overseas travel during COVID-19 had been dashed by the ongoing changes to state border restrictions.
“There’s been so much support and pent-up demand to date from domestic travellers, but now as we’ve been forced to ask our guests to once again postpone their trips and re-arrange flights, people are fed up and losing confidence in the whole idea of planning and booking a holiday.
“For the tourism industry, this should have been our moment – a chance for Aussie travellers to discover the many wonders of our own remarkable country. But as state borders like Queensland and the Northern Territory now look to remain closed, tourism businesses can’t survive for an extended period solely on the support from intrastate travellers.”
The letter, with an open invitation to join in support, is available HERE.
The list of signed supporters spans the breadth of the industry, from accommodation and tour operators to travel agents, vehicle hire companies, industry bodies and regional destination offices. Signatories, to date, include:
- Flight Centre Travel Group CEO Graham Turner
- Spicers Retreats Owner and Founder Jude Turner
- Helloworld Travel Executive Director and CEO Cinzia and Andrew Burnes
- Intrepid Travel CEO James Thornton
“The travel industry will only begin to recover through certainty and confidence in state border policy. The National Cabinet and state governments need to work collaboratively to offer clear and consistent guidelines on when borders will open,” said Intrepid Group Chief Executive Officer James Thornton.
Baillie Lodges Founder, James Baillie, said now was the time for action to safeguard Australia’s tourism future.
“We as an industry collective are asking the State Premiers to work together to come up with practical ways to allow Aussies to safely travel interstate and support each other’s tourism industries.
“Now’s the time to plan positively, to support employment and businesses in each state and across the country, and to ensure that Australia retains its diverse and incredible tourism offering for when international travel resumes.
“The groundswell of support for the campaign is reassuring and demonstrates the uniquely collegiate nature of the tourism industry in support of a common goal for good.
“We’re hoping the open letter will be well received and inspire action on the part of the states’ leaders simply and urgently to #SaveAussieTourism.”
