US travel warning eases after PM protest
The United States has quietly watered down its travel warnings to tourists travelling to Australia after a peeved Prime Minister Scott Morrison raised concerns to senior US officials.
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The United States has quietly watered down its travel warnings to tourists travelling to Australia after a peeved Prime Minister Scott Morrison hit the phones to Vice-President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The State Department has kept Australia at a level two travel warning – the same as strife-torn Gaza – but tweaked the language in the warning.
It has deleted the observation that: “the current bushfire season is one of the worst in Australia’s recorded history.’’
And the new travel warning no longer contains the phrase that: “bushfires may continue through March and April 2020.’’
The updated advisory also drops the suggestion that: “tourists should consider postponing their trips to affected areas until the danger of natural disaster has passed.’’
Tourism operators were dismayed when the US upped its travel warnings to level two on January 8, believing the warning was unnecessary and could damage the important US tourism sector.
More than 800,000 Americans tourists visited Australia last year, the third largest market behind New Zealand and China, and injected $4 billion into the economy.
On January 10, hours after the Herald Sun revealed the warnings, the travel advisory was amended, containing less dire warnings about the risk posed by bushfires and smoke.
It’s understood Mr Morrison raised the issue with both Mr Pompeo and Mr Pence. Australia and the US had been in regular contract in recent weeks in relation to the situation involving Iran, and the ongoing bushfire crisis in Australia.
On Sunday, the Prime Minister was asked at a press conference what action he was taking in response to the elevated travel warning.
“I’ve been in direct contact at senior levels of the US administration,’’ he replied.
The State Department’s website explains the change to the warning in the following terms: “Last Update: Reissued after review with edits to risk indicators.’’
Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said the Government wanted to make it clear that Australia was open for business and would lobby for the travel warning to be lowered.
“Whilst we welcome this step, the Australian Government will continue to make representations at the highest levels to encourage the US to consider returning travel warnings to their original levels,’’ he said.
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“Most Australian regions remain unaffected and continue to offer tourists the incredible tourism experiences that our country is known for.’’
Senator Birmingham said there was “much misinformation circulating online and in some media that exaggerates the geographical reach of these tragic bushfires.’’
“Australia’s fire-affected areas will rebuild and I’m confident travellers from across the globe, including from the US will continue to visit, not only to support the recovery of these regions but because they will continue to be world-class tourism destinations,’’ he said.