Last month, New Zealand's first tourists arrived in Sydney.
Tourism New Zealand (Tourism New Zealand) is planning to form a "pragmatic" two-way travel circle with Australia in January, which could shatter hopes of families wanting to be reunited before Christmas this year.
Yet birmingham, australia's tourism and trade minister (Simon Birmingham), said the australian government still wants the circle to be formed soon after new zealand's election last month.
According to New Zealand Prime Minister Adrian (Jacinda Ardern), there will be no travel circle plan until Australia achieves no community dissemination within 28 days.
Australia recently recorded no community transmission on its first day. But government sources remain optimistic about the two-way opening of the border by december 25.
Currently, New Zealand passengers travelling to Australia must be separated for two weeks upon return. Australians can not fly to New Zealand yet.
Tourism is critical to Australia's economic recovery, said Andrew Waddel, Australia's managing director for New Zealand Tourism.
He stated that government officials on both sides were still discussing the issue of the tourism sector and that "New Zealand will remain committed to addressing it as long as it is safe ".
"Australian tourists have a place in the New Zealand tourism market, and the New Zealand Tourism Board is planning activities for safe travel ," he said. "
"If the trans-Tasman travel circle opens in January 2021, by September 2021, Australian tourists will increase the country's economic by NZ $1 billion (A $930 million). "
Prior to the outbreak, national and international tourism was New Zealand's largest source of export revenue, generating NZ $40.9 billion annually, of which NZ $17.2 billion was generated by international tourists. The department employs one-eighth of the country.
Qantas Chairman Goyder attacked the ongoing border blockade in Queensland and Western Australia.
Qantas (Qantas) speaker mcginnis (Andrew McGinnes) said the company regularly communicated with australian government that the two-way travel circle "looks increasingly likely ".
"When the circle really opens, we're ready. It could include places that weren't part of our network before the outbreak. "
The airline has in fact been forced to suspend its international operations due to the closure of the Australian border.
The airline's chairman, Goed (Richard Goyder), recently pointed out that these new routes may include South Korea, Chinese TW and other destinations in the Pacific.
New Zealand's minister Hopkins (Chris Hipkins), responsible for the epidemic, said border settings remained unchanged.
"Any New Zealander travelling to Victoria shall remain segregated upon return. As soon as the outbreak is safe, government are in discussions with Australia on the Trans-Tasman Circle. "
