COVID border closures and the need for consumer confidence in travel
An open letter to Australia, from a devoted traveller.
Dear Australia,
We need to talk. I promised to be here for you. In fact, I promised to holiday here, especially for you, this year. But frankly these days it feels like there’s a great distance between us; like there’s no deep connection and understanding any more.
I really thought we’d make it — to Victoria in April, and then July and again in October. But you just shut me out time and again. I felt so rejected. I’m hoping this Easter we can resurrect our relationship. I’ll bring the chocolates; you supply the cool-climate wines.
Queensland, you gave me the push-pull treatment at Christmas. It’s such a fraught time of year. I felt wanted, but is it possible all you wanted was my money? And it always had to be on your terms — “Come and stay over. But come now or I’ll change the locks.” Beautiful one day, so passive-aggressive the next.
Northern Territory, we had a brief fling in November. Boy, you were so hot, but it was fun while it lasted. I touched your remote, red heart — I know I did. Ours was a spiritual experience.
Canberra, I showered you in affection, even when times were tough back in July, but it seemed I was always at the back of a long queue of lovers scanning QR codes and hoping for a seat at your table. I got tired of waiting for you to pay me some attention.
South Australia, you can be so impulsive at times. I’m supposed to be winging your way for a wedding next month. Will I have a chance to catch the bride’s bouquet?
Western Australia, you’ve always been aloof but you’ve really taken it to the next level lately. You talk about a separation as though our relationship means nothing. You’re so far away from me. It hurts.
Ah, Tasmania, the apple of my eye. You can be frosty but I adore the streak of rebelliousness at your core. We’ve been a tad on-again, off-again the past year. Let’s try again.
Good old reliable NSW. Apart from that one rough patch in 2020, you’ve consistently been there for me. Our relationship hasn’t gone far but our weekends away together have been magical. Those speed-dating escapades were just what we needed.
Australia, we can work this mess out, can’t we? Maybe we just need a shot in the arm, to spice things up. What I seek is the confidence of knowing we can be together, anywhere and always.
Something’s got to change. If it doesn’t, I may be tempted to fly off at the first whiff of an overseas romance. And we wouldn’t want that, would we?
With love from a devoted traveller.