Australia to open its international border to fully vaccinated on 21st February

February 7, 2022

Tourism /

After two years of Australian borders being closed to international arrivals, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced at a meeting today of the National Security Council that Australia will open its border on 21^st February.

Internationally focused Australian tourism businesses can breathe a sigh of relief and finally begin the long path to rebuilding their markets with ATEC Managing Director Peter Shelley noting “Australian tourism businesses will rejoice in the news that our borders will reopen to all international travellers on 21st February.

“It’s been a long hard and desperate road for every tourism business across the country and we have lost many along the way, but this news will give those who have survived a clear target to work towards and a start point for the rebuilding of the industry.

“With close to two years with our borders closed our industry has lost tens of billions of dollars in export revenue and we welcome the border reopening as an opportunity to regain some of Australia’s tourism market share.

Prime Minister Morrison advised “I know the tourism industry will be looking forward to that and over the next two weeks they’ll get the opportunity both for visitors to be coming and for them to be gearing up to welcome international visitors back to Australia.

“The condition is you must be double vaccinated to come to Australia. That’s the rule. Everyone is expected to abide by it.

“I think events earlier in the year should have sent a very clear message to everyone around the world that (that) is the requirement to enter into Australia.”

Federal Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said unvaccinated travellers will need to apply for an exemption and will have to undergo hotel quarantine if they are granted permission.

Commenting on this, Shelley added that while the border reopening was the top priority for the industry, the damage has been devastating and every part of the industry will need support to reboot successfully, advising “Australia is an incredible destination and one that enjoyed a place at the top of the global travel bucket list prior to covid closing our borders back in March 2020, and we can see a strong future for our industry.

“While other destinations are already back online and welcoming visitors, Australia has been off the global destination list for quite some time and there is significant pent-up demand as we look forward.

“But the challenge for our industry is to meet this demand successfully and that will involve tourism businesses rebuilding their lost capacity, product, service skills and supply chains.

“Given the tourism industry has taken a devastating hit to its skills base, experience, expertise and global sales networks, we urge the Government to outline a significant funding commitment to our industry in next month’s budget as a sign of its support for what has been a hugely valuable economic contributor for more than a decade.”

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