For nearly two years, 'Fortress Australia' has announced its reopening to visitors from across the world. However, the country has projected a harsh message of rigidity and rules for travelers coming in. On February 21st, travelers and tourism operators are optimistic about reopening "Fortress Australia" after 2 years of complete lockdown. Despite its ongoing Covid restrictions such as vaccine and testing requirements, mask mandates, and quarantine period, many wonder if the return of international travel will be more of a trickle than a splash.
Australia is among one of the world's most immunized countries for COVID, with nearly 94% of people over 16 fully vaccinated. Throughout 2020 and 2021, the country pursued a "zero Covid" strategy and closed national and state borders that restricted Australians from returning and leaving the state and nation. Each state can set its own Covid restrictions with who can and can not enter the state while the federal government has agreed to open the nation's borders.
Tourism is one of Australia's fastest-growing sectors, contributing nearly $32 billion to its economy in 2019. Many of Australia's larger tour companies, businesses, and shops have been hit hard with the prolonged closed borders, with smaller ones having to close completely. In 2017, China overtook New Zealand as Australia's largest foreign tourist market, with nearly the Chinese people spending nearly $9 billion in Australia, totaling about 27% of the year's international visitor spend. With China still severely limiting outbound travel, it creates a gaping hole in Australia's tourist economy.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/18/travel/australia-tourism-covid.html
By: Genevieve Weiss
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