Tourism industry pressure mounts on Australian states to reopen borders
Hundreds of travel industry leaders have added their name to a letter urging state governments to ‘Save Aussie Tourism.’
They say it is imperative that interstate borders are open to help boost the economy and protect jobs.
"We need interstate borders to remain open. We need certainty that domestic travel is accessible so that Australians can recommence making travel plans and so we can get employees and businesses back to work," it said.
"We implore you now to desist from making announcements that erode this confidence; we implore you to stop spending public money on border closures. We implore you to work quickly and collaboratively with neighbouring states to install screening protocols for travellers."
Executives from Qantas, Virgin Australia, Accor Hotels Pacific, Marriott International, Helloworld and the Hilton are among the signatories.
"The events of recent weeks, in particular the ongoing changes to policies around borders and access to interstate travellers, have resulted in crippling uncertainty," they said in the letter.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said Queensland’s border with New South Wales will remain closed through September.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner recently said its border could stay shut for 18 months.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Pacific editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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