NSW AND VIC BORDER DOWN AND TOURISM INDUSTRY CELEBRATING

TTF Australia CEO Margy Osmond today said that NSW opening to Victoria from Monday the 23rd of November is a huge step forward to a more normal world.

“The reuniting of these two major southern states following the devastating impacts of COVID-19 is almost like a mini ‘Australian Federation 2.0’ but in 2020 rather than 1901,” Margy Osmond said.

“TTF gives a huge COVID-safe elbow handshake to both NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and the NSW and Victorian Governments for removing this border well before Christmas.

“It will reboot both leisure and business travel, allow residents of both states to plan visits to family and friends interstate in the leadup to Christmas and help get the ailing visitor economy humming once again.

“Today’s announcement is a real vote of confidence in the ability of states to successfully track, trace and sensibly and effectively manage the virus.

“Our tourism, transport, aviation and accommodation sectors are now collectively holding our breath as national momentum builds for remaining state and city borders to fall away as COVID-19 numbers remain low and COVID-safe activity continues across the country.

“We must keep managing the risk rather than the emergency of this virus and ensure the safety of the community while also preventing any further tourism jobs and business closures and allow a COVD-safe rebooting of the economy.”

Research by Stafford Strategy for TTF revealed the industry was still losing almost $8 billion per month in spend from almost no international and limited domestic visitation which has resulted in an estimated 470,000 jobs being lost.

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