The decimated travel industry has welcomed $75 million in further government support as it prepares to claw back as much as 90 per cent of its pre-pandemic revenue.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
In the wake of state and international borders reopening, a new federal program will offer targeted assistance to agents and tour arrangement service providers.
The funds will be directed towards helping travellers re-book trips using existing COVID-related credits, of which there are an estimated $6 billion worth in the system.
Tourism Minister Dan Tehan says the $75.5 million package will boost the industry's bid to rebound from downturns which saw 15,000 jobs representing a third of the sector lost.
With Australia's tourism industry bouncing back, Mr Tehan says confidence is growing, people are booking holidays and agents are in demand.
However Australian Federation of Travel Agents CEO Dean Long says it's critically important the money is distributed quickly to eligible businesses and he believes a revised eligibility framework will facilitate that.
"Australians travelling are relying on their travel professionals now more than ever and this financial support is needed to start the process of rebuilding," he said on Saturday.
Australian Tourism Export Council boss Peter Shelley says it's estimated the gap between border re-openings and the point at which agents are likely to see "meaningful business" will be 6-12 months.
The government's package comes just days after the Commonwealth announced an end to the ban on cruise ships entering Australia from April 17.
The latest round of industry support also follows $184 million in relief measures to travel agents since the start of the pandemic, with more than 5400 grants issued to more than 3200 agents.
The new assistance will be made up of grants of between $7500 and $90,000, based on previous turnover levels with applications to open on March 29.
Acting NSW Premier Paul Toole has meanwhile called for applications to the government's $20 million regional events acceleration fund to encourage new sporting, lifestyle, food, music, art and cultural events.
A further 28 COVID-19 deaths were reported across Australia on Saturday, a dozen of them in NSW.
Case numbers for the virus remain relatively high in the wake of the new Omicron sub-variant being detected, with more than 46,000 new infections recorded nationally.
NSW added 19,060 to its caseload, Victoria 7847, Queensland 7120, WA 5838 and SA 3724.
Elsewhere, pharmaceutical giant Moderna has sought authorisation from the US medical regulator to approve a fourth dose of its vaccine as a booster for adults.
Australian Associated Press
