Cairns tourism: Industry leaders to monitor border moves closely

Business and aviation industry leaders will closely monitor a national cabinet meeting on Friday, seeking an end to snap state border closures undermining consumer confidence.

BUSINESS and aviation industry leaders will closely monitor a national cabinet meeting on Friday, seeking an end to snap state border closures undermining consumer confidence.

Cairns Airport chief executive Richard Barker believes the vaccine rollout could make border closures redundant.

“With the rollout of the vaccine successfully underway, we’re cautiously optimistic that domestic borders will now remain open to give people certainty and confidence to book their winter holidays to the Far North,” he said.

Cairns Airport chief executive Richard Barker believes the vaccine rollout will make state border closures unnecessary. Picture: Stewart McLean

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“By September over 6.8 million Australians will be vaccinated … and that’s great news for the reopening to other COVID-safe countries,” he said.

“Cairns has done a great job of keeping the region COVID-free and we’re well positioned as one of the most attractive destinations domestically and internationally for people to study and holiday.”

Cairns based Getaway Trekking chief executive Sue Fitcher said a nationally consistent approach was vital for business survival.

“We have people booked for a trip and they are all happy and excited, but every single one of them has said ‘what happens if the borders close? Will we get caught?’

“There is a concern that when people get to a destination, they won’t be able to return.”

Getaway Trekking’s Wayne and Sue Fitcher want to see a nationwide approach to COVID-19 quarantine measures. Picture: Brendan Radke.

Originally published as Cairns tourism: Industry leaders to monitor border moves closely