Federal government promotes ambitious plan to launch Tasmania-New Zealand travel bubble by summer

A travel bubble between Tasmania and New Zealand could soon become a reality, with the Prime Minister outlining an ambitious plan to bring on direct flights between the destinations. DETAILS >>

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THE federal government says it wants direct flights to be established between Tasmania and New Zealand by this summer, with a Tasmanian Senator saying he will throw the kitchen sink at a travel bubble arrangement.

The prospect of a travel bubble arrangement between the two destinations, both of which have been largely successful in containing coronavirus, was first mooted in June.

It has since dropped down the agenda of governments as NZ worked to contain a new cluster of COVID-19 cases and a large outbreak of the killer virus erupted in Victoria.

But an ambitious plan to launch direct flights across the Tasman within months was outlined on Sunday by Tasmanian Liberal Senator and Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism, Jonathon Duniam.

“A bubble with New Zealand would be a fantastic thing, and I’m going to throw everything including the kitchen sink at ensuring that we do achieve that,’’ he said.

“I’m very keen on this happening and I want to see those New Zealanders coming here as soon as possible and spending their hard-earned cash supporting our great tourism businesses here.

“I’d love to see them come here during that summer period and I’ll be working towards that timeline.”

Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin and Senator Jonathon Duniam at Hobart. Picture Chris Kidd

Senator Duniam said he had been in discussions with Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton and the state government about the plan.

Hobart Airport would need to be configured to accept international flights, including the provision of Border Force personnel.

The availability of direct flights between Tasmania and NZ could provide a direct boost to both economies.

It would also be a novelty for travellers — if the plan proceeds it would be the first time for more than two decades that direct flights between Tasmania and NZ had been available.

Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania Luke Martin said he was hopeful of positive announcements about domestic borders, and a travel bubble with NZ.

“The reality is it’s incredibly likely New Zealand will be the only international market open to Australia and if that happens, that travel bubble, then the best way to get its biggest piece of the pie is a direct service,’’ he said.

“Whenever we introduce new direct flights to a new market — and we’ve seen it with South Australia and Western Australia and Queensland — visitor numbers grow almost directly.”

It comes as the state’s tourism industry — one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic — welcomed a multimillion-dollar boost to support the sector to rebound.

As part of a $150 million federal government recovery package, Tasmania will receive $13 million of a $50 million funding pool dedicated to the regions.

The boost is designed to help the sector secure flights, boost marketing, put on events or festivals and refocus on domestic visitors.

Mr Martin welcomed the funding, saying the industry would spend it wisely and strategically.

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