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Highlights
- Despite Australian borders reopening, few travel industry runners are not very hopeful of recovery just yet.
- The travellers now feel repellent to travel in and across Australia because COVID cases rise suddenly, and the governments can impose lockdowns and borders will then again be closed.
- The ratio of the booking enquiries getting converted into actual bookings is meagre.
- However, most bookings happening these days are for July, August, and months later than October. Thus, the money inflow might take time.
After almost two dreadful years of lockdown, Australia finally decided to reopen its borders. The country imposed one of the severest Covid-19 restrictions internationally. However, Prime Minister Scott Morrison finally dropped the zero-Covid policy and decided to reopen borders despite rising Omicron cases earlier this month.
As borders reopened, let’s see how the tourism industry reacts to the same.
The Australian tourism industry amidst Covid-19
Australia stands at a significant position as a tourism destination internationally. However, as soon as COVID hit, the country shut its doors to international travellers for almost two years now. Thus, the Australian tourism industry has suffered massive losses throughout this timeline. As borders reopened, it is presumed that the tourism industry would get back on track immediately. However, is it like that? Let’s understand in depth.
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Travellers scared of strict border rules
Both domestic and international tourists have become a bit scared of Australia’s strict border restrictions, whether international or state-wise. The travellers now feel repellent to travel in and across Australia because what if the Covid cases rise suddenly and the governments impose lockdowns and borders are closed. Thus, travellers, especially the international ones, are willing to wait for a couple of months until things get more stable and then visit the country.
Source: © Alyssand | Megapixl.com
Inquiries overweigh bookings
Several travel agencies have said that most calls they are getting nowadays are to enquire about the travel rules and the related things. The ratio of these enquiries getting converted into actual bookings is meagre. So, until the industry runners start making real money, it is difficult for the industry to revive on the ground level.
ALSO WATCH: Australia Reopens Its Border After 2 Years For Vaccinated Travellers
Delayed money inflow
After massive losses incurred during the pandemic, the Australian travel sector is facing significant cash crunch. Thus, for optimum recovery, sufficient cash inflow is essential. However, most bookings happening these days are for July, August, and months later than October. Consequently, the money inflow might take time.
Covid is not yet under control
Omicron cases are going down; however, the entire pandemic situation is indecisive. The industry has also suffered from labour shortages due to rising Covid cases. And, even if the situation in Australia is under control; but, until things don’t get better evenly across the globe, the Australian tourism industry cannot recover optimally.
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Bottom line
Australia’s tourism industry was substantially flourishing before the pandemic. However, the sector has gotten into a challenging spot now. Despite the travel reopening, the industry runners are not very hopeful of recovery just yet. Revival would indeed knock on the door; however, the journey would be slow.
