Tourism industry prepares for new boom as flights between Tasmania and Melbourne drop to just $35

Travellers are snapping up tens of thousands of seats on half-price interstate flights to and from Tasmania – and tourism operators are bracing for the impending influx. FULL DETAILS >>

Annie McCann and Jack Evans

3 min read

April 1, 2021 - 5:51PM

Tasmania

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HALF-price flights have given tourism operators more confidence heading into the off-season.

The bumper sale of 800,000 tickets under the government’s $1.2bn tourism and aviation package kicked off at midnight on April 1.

About 100,000 flights from Virgin and Qantas across the country have already been snapped up.

Roaring 40s Kayaking owner Jenny Grundy said the sale, which continues until July 31 and covers travel up until September 30, was “very exciting” given about 70 per cent of her customers were from outside of Tasmania.

“Back in August we really weren’t sure what our season was going to look like and it was pretty quiet until Christmas,” Ms Grundy said.

“People are definitely keen to travel and I know I had a quick look at some flights this morning so hopefully other people have done the same.”

Roaring 40s Kayaking owner Jenny Grundy says the cheap flights deal is “very exciting” and hopes it brings more potential customers into the state over winter. Picture: Zak Simmonds

She said people were already enquiring about tours into May beyond the initial Easter tourism surge.

“Fingers crossed it does bring more business into that May-June period,” she said.

Federal Assistant Industry Development Minister Jonno Duniam said the sale would get “extra bums on seats coming to Tasmania”.

“For any dollar spent on airfares, we’ll have another $10 spent on the ground that is going to restaurants, cafes and bars,” he said.

Mr Duniam joined the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania call to add Hobart to the half-price list after the initial flight sale included only airports in the north half of the state.

“Before COVID-19, domestic tourism nationally made up approximately 77 per cent – or $107bn – of tourism spend and the half-price flights initiative will help to get domestic spending pumping again.”

Half-price flights into and out of Tasmania are expected to bring plenty of new tourists into the state over winter. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

TICT CEO Luke Martin said incentives such as half-price flights and free car passes on the Spirits of Tasmania had proven their worth for the weakened industry.

“We’ll encourage Tasmanians to get out over winter,” he said.

“We’ve just got to do whatever we can to sustain the business activity.”

Mr Martin said predictions pointed to next summer being a huge success, with vaccines and international travel instilling confidence in tourists.

He said about 87 per cent of travellers came to Tasmania by plane, but those travelling by boat typically spent longer in the state.

EARLIER: Twenty-thousand seats on half-price interstate flights to and from Hobart have been made available as prices from Launceston to Melbourne drop to just $35.

Virgin Australia, Qantas and Jetstar have today revealed the full details in its efforts to reignite domestic travel after COVID-19 As part of a $1.2 billion support package from the Federal government.

Virgin Australia flights be discounted by 50 per cent across a twenty-four-week period between April 1 and July 31 for travel from mid-April to 30 September 2021.

If you’re travelling with Jetstar or Qantas, fares will be on sale through each airline’s website or agents until the end of July for travel until the end of September unless sold out.

Qantas Domestic and International CEO Andrew David said the sales would help people plan for future holidays.

“Almost every destination that Qantas and Jetstar flies to is on sale, including plenty of chances to grab half price fares as part of the Government’s tourism stimulus package.

Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka acknowledged current COVID-19 border challenges but hoped to deliver a much-needed boost to regional tourism.

“While there are short-term constraints around travelling to some destinations at the moment, the good news is that our half price tickets can be used for travel up to the end of September,” she said.

“To ensure maximum flexibility under the program, we’re also extending our flexible flying policy for all half-priced fare bookings.

“This is designed to ensure everyone can book with confidence knowing they’ll definitely be able to make use of these great-value tickets.”

Tasmanians can now access flights through Virgin between Launceston and Melbourne for as low as $55, Sydney and Launceston for $68, Hobart and Brisbane for $108, Hobart and Melbourne for $73, and Sydney and Hobart for $80

Virgin Australia has also added additional regional seats available under the program including more than 19,000 seats to Launceston and more than 20,000 seats to Hobart.

Alternatively, the low fares from Qantas and Jetstar are listed below:

Jetstar