TTF Media Release

1 December 2020

BACK IN BUSINESS! WA TO OPEN BORDERS FROM 8 DECEMBER

The opening of the Western Australia border to most other Australian states in time for the festive season is the ultimate Christmas gift for locals yearning to see their loved ones after what has been an immensely challenging year the tourism industry’s peak national body said today.

TTF Australia CEO Margy Osmond today praised the Western Australian Government for announcing it would open its border to all Australian states including their capital cities with the exception of South Australia on Tuesday, December 8.

“This is another welcome boost for the nation’s visitor economy as we head into the critical peak summer holiday period and allows family and friends to unite after months of separation due to the COVID 19 pandemic,” Margy Omsond said.

“We hope this decision reflects a move by all states to managing the risk rather than the emergency of this virus and ensuring the safety of the community while also preventing any further lost tourism jobs or business closures across the nation.

“Economic data compiled by Stafford Strategy for TTF revealed the industry has been losing almost $8 billion per month in national spend from no international and limited domestic visitation which has resulted in some 470,000 jobs being lost.

“We also look forward to hearing further details of an announcement from the Western Australian Government on opening its border to South Australia.

“We would very much like this to occur before Christmas which will be the final piece of the pie in the reopening of the domestic travel market. 

“However according to consumer research conducted by MI Associates for TTF, three out of four Australians planning a summer holiday will choose to do so within their own state, showing there is significant work still to be done to get the travelling public back in the air and to put the tourism industry firmly on the road to recovery.”

Contact: TTF Manager Policy & Government Relations Lindsay Hermes lhermes@ttf.org.au 0418 948 447 or 0434 569 470