The tourism industry relies on people's basic freedom of movement and is one of the sectors worst hit in an economy largely shuttered by COVID-19.
But it may not be long before Australians are packing their bags again, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison's three-step plan to end coronavirus restrictions placing travel firmly back on the agenda.
Announced after Friday's national cabinet meeting in Canberra, step one of the plan allows local and regional travel, step two green-lights some interstate travel and step three permits all interstate travel, with states and territories to dictate when the steps can be implemented.
Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan has hinted that his state's easing of regional travel restrictions could be mere days away. Residents in east coast states may be eyeing June or July for potential trips.
Hitting the road will have undoubted benefits for our tourism industry and our mental health. But weighing these up against health risk concerns is a delicate balance.
Deputy chair of Australian Regional Tourism Donna Foster says we should all get ready to “remember the roadie (road trip) we did after COVID-19".
Nazaaray Estate Winery is Mornington Peninsula’s southernmost vineyard, set on 50 acres with sweeping views, wildlife and superb sunsets. Source: Supplied
“Start thinking about a magical, local discovery you would like to explore, and when the time is right, go and experience it so you can look back on it in 20 years," she said.
But epidemiologist and public health specialist Professor Tony Blakely explains the goal is not to open the country as fast as possible, but to continue the progress of flattening the curve, which will allow a new way of life to take place… one guarded by medical parameters and health modelling.
“The goal here is to avoid a second spike… there is a tug of war or a seesaw taking place.
“On one side of the rope there is a team of people wanting society re-opened and they can be responsible for a second spike in transmissions. The other team is doing contact tracing, working the apps and surveillance system and conducting testing," Professor Blakey said.
The only way for domestic travel and tourism to resume is to alter the way we did things in the past, he explains.
National Cabinet prepares to relax restrictions Source: AAP
Social distancing measures will need to continue for some time, which means less people per square metre on a tour or in a shop, for example, and no handshakes.
"Those kinds of behaviours must be transferred forward. We can’t do a Trump thing here, we can’t undo the progress made," he said.
Professor Blakely says Australians must respect the work being done, or there won’t be any easing of restrictions.
“There are two optional goals at hand: either eliminate the virus or suppress it.
“The government is trying to suppress it, because it is not easily eliminated, which means we need to get used to a new reality, get used to a society where outbreaks still pop up. These clusters will keep appearing through silent transmissions, that is the new norm.”
Police Officers patrolling in the Departures Hall of Sydney Domestic Airport. Source: AAP
Considerate travel
Regional tourism agencies are striving to increase the number of people discovering the wonder beyond major cities.
Ms Foster at Australian Regional Tourism says the regional sector has been struck hard, but will bounce back.
“Communities are still in drought, recovering from bushfires and floods. Regional Australia has constantly been hammered, COVID came in and it was the last slam dunk for a lot of businesses, the final blow. However, this is Australia, we stick together and support each other, we are resilient," she said.
When people can move around their regions again, Ms Foster urged them to to remain considerate.
“We will really need support from educated visitors. We need them to understand that operators are struggling. Don’t be too demanding and don’t overwhelm them," she said.
The federal government recently updated its to reflect new COVID-safe guidelines for specific industries.
Beach goers cart their inflatable boats to West Beach during a hot day in Adelaide. Source: AAP
Executive director of the Australian Tourism Industry Council Simon Westaway says it’s important for small businesses to adopt the new guidelines, so they are prepared to operate again.
"The Australian tourism industry is made up of almost entirely small businesses, a number of medium-sized, but the vast majority are micro-businesses with five employees or less," he said.
These small businesses play a key role and have a big impact in regional communities.
Chief executive of the Queensland Tourism Industry Council Daniel Gschwind says people don't appreciate the economic impact of tourist dollars until they disappear.
"At times like this when the dollar stops, entire communities realise they're in the tourism industry, because there are few sectors of the economy that generate so much decentralised activity, that touch and support so many jobs and so many families and so many communities.
“So that tourism dollar circulates many times through local and regional economies, and it is truly missed when it doesn't arrive."
Kimberley region, Western Australia Source: Anna Eymont
Cautious optimism going forward
The re-opening of Australia will be gradual. Travel will be regional first, then domestic - with some state and territory borders opening before others. We may also be able to travel between Australia and New Zealand within a few months.
Mr Gschwind says the inability of Australians to go overseas may be a boost for domestic tourism.
"There's more than five million Australians who have an overseas holiday usually, last year spending about 45 billion dollars overseas … those Australians should consider a domestic holiday instead," he said.
But he also cautions that the industry must accept that some people may not have the money to have a holiday post-coronavirus.
An Australian traveller at Melbourne Airport. Source: AAP
"We do of course have enormous pent-up demand. I think we all have a bit of cabin fever, and I think we're all ready to get out and experience what we can in our great land.
“There is some hope that we will take advantage of that, but we have to bear in mind that consumers will come out of this with a new mindset, having suffered financial hardship and may be concerned about their financial future, so the spending patterns may be adjusted from a consumer point of view."
The industry accepts that the industry must open slowly.
"From the Australian tourism industry's point of view, we'd like to see a co-ordinated, transparent and well-communicated approach, fully understanding that parts of Tasmania, Western Australia, or the Northern Territory may come up for air, in terms of access, at a different time than the rest of Australia, and we're conscious of that," Mr Gschwind said.
“But we think things can start to move and shift during the month of June."
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
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