International borders reopening to kick life into tourism after being destroyed by Covid-19

It’s been 704 long days since we locked down Fortress Australia. But all that’s about to end when 56 flights touch down and open a new horizon Monday.

Untamed Escapes owner Craig Haslam, near Port Lincoln. Picture: South Australian Tourism Commission

Reopening Australia to the world, foreign visitors and tourists is a critical step to kickstarting the state’s multi-billion tourism economy hurt by Covid-19, officials say.

As foreshadowed by the Sunday Mail, the country’s hard fortress-style borders will come down Monday, for all fully vaccinated travellers after 704 days of being locked.

At least 56 international flights are due to arrive in the first 24 hours across the country.

The decision, authorised by the Federal Government’s national security committee a fortnight ago, has sparked a bookings frenzy to “inundated” travel agents, especially in Britain, tourism chiefs say.

An initial surge of international travellers will be from a group dubbed the “visiting friends and relatives” cohort. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

The initial surge is from a group dubbed the “visiting friends and relatives” cohort, but authorities warned it will take more time for tourist and airline, demand to rebound to pre-pandemic levels.

“It is sensational to be welcoming international tourists back to South Australia,” said South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex.

“Throughout the pandemic, (we have) been working to keep South Australia top of mind in our key global markets.

“The reopening to international tourism is another major step forward as we work to recover our state’s … visitor economy.”

Officials want to lure more tourists back to Adelaide. Picture: Adelaide Airborne Photography,

To take in the views of the Adelaide Hills such as from Sequoia at Mount Lofty House. Picture: SATC

Official figures show the international tourists market was worth more than $1.2 billion annually to the state’s economy before Covid decimated the local market and tourism firms.

In 2019, the SATC reported the “visitor economy” was worth more than $8.1 billion to the state’s coffers.

In that same year, Commonwealth data shows tourism generated more than $60 billion for the Australian economy with more than 660,000 jobs dependent on the industry.

A Murray River Walk. Picture: SATC

The SATC is targeting key markets in New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States and Singapore to turn wishful travel into booked trips.

It is also developing new tourist campaigns for roadshows across Europe and North America in coming months, which will also target young travellers and working holiday-makers in France and Germany amid a workforce shortage.

The SATC and Adelaide Airport have been in talks with carriers on boosting flights including with Qatar Airways, from three return, Singapore Airlines - four return and one inbound route - and Qantas’ nine departing trips.

Both Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways have flown into Adelaide in the pandemic.

Passengers arriving at Adelaide Airport. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Brenton Edwards

New foreign flights to resume will likely be Jetstar Bali services in April, followed by Air New Zealand services in July.

Adelaide Airport managing ­director Brenton Cox said reopening was vital, expecially for the education sector as thousands of students return to study.

Domestic passenger numbers are up 50 per cent in a year, but the airport is still down 57 per cent overall on pre-Covid levels.

“The reopening of our international borders to overseas travellers is a critical step in rebuilding our state’s connections with the world,” he said.

“We’re doing everything we can to further rebuild Adelaide’s network and then expand our connections.

“Broadening aviation connectivity between South Australia and the world will be critical to the success of our state.”

Adelaide Airport boss Brenton Cox said reopening was vital for the state’s economy. Picture: Supplied

Property Council chief Daniel Gannon said direct routes to Asia and US will provide relief to the embattled tourism sector. Picture: Sarah Reed

Property Council SA executive director Daniel Gannon said establishing, and relaunching, direct routes into Asia and US “will bring in dollars to provide relief to an embattled tourism sector”.

Owner of Untamed Escapes, Craig Haslam, said the past two years had been challenging, which led to a move into “wellness and regenerative tourism”.

“While it will take time to rebuild the international market back to where it was, we know that the world has a pent up demand to travel,” he said.

SA Tour Operator Alliance spokesman Dallas Coull urged authorities to address the “massive decline in the adventure and backpacker segment”.

“This is the grassroots of the tourism industry,” he said.

Tourism Minister Dan Tehan said the return of international arrivals was an important step in the nation’s recovery.

Owner/operator of Untamed Escapes, Craig Haslam near Port Lincoln Picture: SATC

Originally published as International borders reopening to kick life into tourism after being destroyed by Covid-19