Tate sets date when he’ll push for NZ tourism bubble

Leading Gold Coast figures have revealed when they expect a Queensland-trans-Tasman tourism bubble to happen.

GOLD Coast Mayor Tom Tate is cautiously optimistic about a Queensland-trans-Tasman tourism bubble but said he wanted to wait until the end of the month before pushing it hard.

“I am aware there is political will to look at it but it should be done with caution,” he said.

“New Zealand is coming out of it well but my concern is that we do not know what effect the relaxing of social distancing will have, so I want to see another 14 days before this is reviewed.

“If there is no increase in cases then we should definitely talk about it.”

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Cr Tate is offering lukewarm support as he cautiously eyes whether coronavirus cases increase on the Gold Coast now its borders have reopened and to all but Victorians and social restrictions have eased.

It comes as Queensland Airports Ltd chairman John O’Neill visited and tipped a September-October timeframe for trans-Tasman travel to return.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tateis cautiously optimistic about a Queensland-trans-Tasman tourism bubble. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Mr O’Neill said generally international travel wouldn’t be until mid next year and the trans-Tasman bubble “isn’t on the table” at the moment.

“(But) the trans-Tasman bubble as a concept is generally achievable,” Mr O’Neill said.

“For them (NZ) to enter into the bubble, they would be watching what’s happening in Victoria.

“It’s a good idea to get flights going from wherever to Queensland … but we’re not at the table on that at the moment. My guess is that’s probably September or October (for the trans-Tasman).”

Mr O’Neill made the prediction after flying into the Gold Coast after the borders reopened on Friday to catch up with staff at Gold Coast Airport and see how the city’s tourism industry was recovering. It’s the first time he has been back in Queensland in four and a half months.

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Mr O’Neill, also chair of Star, said he was “incredibly relieved” to have the borders reopen and for tourism to boost again: “The two business I happen to chair were both in the eye of the storm.

“The tourism and hospitality industry has been smashed. Airlines and airport business have also been smashed.

“There was always the expectation it would be September before we reopen (borders) but here we are in July.”

Mr O’Neill said Star Gold Coast and Brisbane were 30 per cent of capacity.

Mr O’Neill said Queensland Airports Ltd would be reviewing the industry every three months from September 30, December 31, March and June 30 next year.

John O'Neill, chairman of The Star and Qld Airports Ltd. Picture: Jerad Williams

He believed by late this year there should be “some form of normality”. “You’d be a brave person to be making any predictions of international travel (before June 30),” he said.

“There’s no vaccine, no one knows when there will be. We’re going to have to live with covid and try to manage it. There’s places around the world where the worst is yet to come.”

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Village Roadshow Theme Parks chief operating officer Bikash Randhawa said he was 100 per cent behind the travel bubble idea.

“With the limited amount of travel allowed, if NZ can come to Queensland, I’m sure many people will take the opportunity,” he said.

“If NZ are happy to travel here that can only be a positive, we have a strong NZ market and it’d be great for the state’s tourism.”

Dracula’s operations manager Luke Newman said the Kiwi market was big for his cabaret venue.