Australia welcomes back visitors from the rest of the world from today.
The first international flights carrying tourists are due to land across the country today, as Australia reopens its borders to double vaccinated arrivals.
The return of double vaccinated international visitors will reinvigorate Australia’s tourism sector, that supports 660,000 jobs and contributed $60.4 billion to the economy in 2018-19.
There are more than 1.23 million student, visitor and working holiday maker visa holders offshore who, if vaccinated, will be able to travel to Australia from 21 February 2022. Since November, 92,000 visitors, 80,000 international students, 35,000 skilled visa holders and 5,600 Working Holiday Makers have arrived in Australia.
Fifty-six international flights are due to arrive in Australia on Monday, including 27 into Sydney, from the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Japan and other destinations.
Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism and Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said the return of international arrivals was an important step in Australia’s COVID-19 recovery.
“Australia’s health and economic response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been among the best in the world, with one of the highest vaccination rates and low mortality rates,” Ms Landry said.
“We are successfully managing the virus and living with it. Australians are travelling overseas, and we are welcoming international visitors back to Australia.
“International tourists will come here to see our iconic regional attractions in Capricornia like Rockhampton Zoo, Great Keppel Island and the Capricorn Coast, Sarina Beach, Cooberrie Park Wildlife Sanctuary, Finch Hatton Gorge, and enjoy the Australian way of life.
“To all international arrivals, welcome to Australia and make the most of your trip to the greatest country in the world,” Ms Landry said.
Tourism Australia has launched a $40 million international marketing campaign to coincide with the reopening of our international borders as the first step in a long-term strategy to restart tourism to Australia, with further investment in tourism marketing campaigns internationally to come in the second half of the year.
Visa holders who are not fully vaccinated will still require a valid travel exemption to enter Australia, and will be subject to state and territory quarantine requirements.