Australian Government Announces a Tourism Package with Cheap Flights
You can book any of the cheap flights you like from the beginning of April
The Australian government has announced an AUD 1.2 billion tourism support package that will include several cheap flights. About 800,000 half-price tickets will be available, and this is done to promote holidaying inter-state at a time when the international borders are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Here is a small explainer on the discounted flights.
Cheap Flights: Where Can You Go?
If you are in Australia, you can get cheap flights for interstate travel easily. Destinations across 13 regions in all states and union territories are chosen on the basis of their reliance on interstate travel. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has shared that this is the initial list, and more locations might be added if the scheme goes well.
- Gold Coast
- Cairns
- Whitsundays
- Sunshine Coast
- Lasseter
- Alice Springs
- Launceston
- Devonport
- Burnie
- Broome
- Avalon
- Merimbula
- Kangaroo Island
Which Airlines are Included?
In addition to Virgin, Qantas, and Jetstar, some regional operators who have been flying on the nominated routes in the last two years are also offering cheap flights.
When Will the Tickets Be Available?
You can book any of the cheap flights you like from the beginning of April. The tickets will be available till the end of July. The travel would go on till the end of September.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack has assured that the airlines have promised that they will not increase the tickets’ price later and make cheap tickets expensive once the bookings begin.
Can the Flights be Cancelled?
If the coronavirus pandemic accelerates again in the country, the Premiers might decide to close off borders again. In such a situation, some cheap flights might be cancelled. The government is banking on Australia’s COVID-19 vaccination program to help control the pandemic and ensure the flights are not cancelled.
When Can You Travel Internationally?
Expressing hope that Australia’s international border might re-open by the end of October, the Prime Minister said, “We haven’t made any firm decision on these things but… that’s our hope, and that’s our expectation. But I’ve learnt all through the pandemic, you don’t get too far ahead of yourselves.”
As this travel package’s initiation is a replacement for the JobKeeper wage subsidy that will come to an end soon, the government is facing criticism for this decision. Labour leader Anthony Albanese said, “There’s nothing in this package for hotel operators, there’s nothing in this package for those people, for example, who are tourism operators, who will take people out on day trips. If you’re a tourism operator anywhere in Australia… who’s been relying upon JobKeeper to keep your doors open and to keep your businesses going and to keep people employed, you’re about to lose that support. So, today’s announcement, what it does is magnify that in just a couple of weeks, the rug is about to be pulled.”
Despite the ongoing criticism, the government’s plan to launch cheap flights shows that it is trying to boost tourism. In addition to these flights, the government is also planning to offer more financial help for zoos and travel agents. It also wants to expand a loan scheme for small and medium-sized businesses. In other news, Daniel Ricciardo has recently launched a wine collection called DR3 x St Hugo.
Share this on social media
