Familiarity first as Aussies dip their toes back in the water – but only just

In the age of Covid, it seems usually adventurous Aussie travellers are less “go with the flow” and more “go with what you know”, with Bali and Fiji dominating bookings.

Fiji offers Australians a comfortable familiarity. Picture: Marriott Momi Bay Resort

Australians have for years taken pride in their reputation for being adventurous travellers. Have backpack, will travel – anywhere, and the more intrepid the better.

But in the age of Covid, it seems we are less “go with the flow” and more “go with what you know”. After two years spent trapped within closed international borders, we are peeking out from under the bed clothes but not venturing very far afield.

Bali and Fiji, the two destinations dominating bookings and inquiries, offer Australians a comfortable familiarity. We all have our favourite resorts, we know where to watch the sunset while sipping a cold Bintang or Fiji Gold, and we can say “terima kasih” and “vinaka” like a local. Visiting these two lands, renowned for their warm welcome – and dependence on Australian tourist dollars – is a bit like visiting old friends.

Yet there is a wealth of countries across the globe abandoning Covid restrictions and officialdom with gusto. On a growing number of airlines, American and British Airways among them, passengers don’t even have to wear a mask. Turn up to immigration on arrival at some airports and all those forms you dutifully signed and saved in triplicate may not even earn a glance from the powers that be.

Nonetheless, Australians are still taking baby steps when it comes to overseas trips, cowed by perceptions of risk and heavy-handed bureaucracy. Are we feeling adventurous? Absolutely not.

As anyone who has returned from overseas recently knows, the first question asked by friends is, “What was it like?”, usually in an incredulous tone that suggests you’ve been to Mars.

In my case, I went to Paris – and it was fabulous. Yes, I had to wear masks on the plane, on public transport and in some indoor areas, such as galleries, but that was a small price to pay for the pure joy of being in a foreign country again.

Covid regulations are changing constantly. I travelled in March, when the dreaded pre-flight nasal invasion was still required. It’s not any more, and France dropped its mandatory mask rules only this week.

I love our near neighbours as much as the next person but the next time I get on a plane, I hope to wave to Bali or Fiji from 30,000ft, en route to somewhere far, far away.