South West tourism industry supports delayed border opening

The South West’s industry leaders say the time is ripe for tourism repair as the State’s hard border is set to fall in less than a week. Premier Mark McGowan revealed border restrictions will be removed on Thursday, March 3, marking the first time travellers can enter the State without satisfying government requirements. As part of the new border regulations, all international and interstate arrivals will be given a rapid antigen test at Perth Airport and be required to report a positive result to WA Health. The number of unvaccinated Australians returning to WA will also be capped at 70 per week and they will be required to spend a week in hotel quarantine at their own expense. Despite this month’s original border opening date being delayed, Mr McGowan assured West Australians the new date was “locked in” and would not change. The move will mean the recovery of the region’s tourism industry will start in earnest, according to Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association co-chief executive Sharna Kearney. “The announcement is by no means a panacea for all the issues facing our industry, but we can now begin the task of building back in a way that draws on everything that is wonderful about our industry and the lessons we have learned over the past two years,” she said. “The months ahead will be difficult as COVID circulates through our community and our intrastate markets look once again to travelling outside of WA. “Pre-COVID, the number of West Australians travelling out of the State was greater than the number of interstate and international arrivals, and we expect the recovery of our interstate and international markets to be slow. “The first returning markets are likely to be those visiting friends and relatives and from there leisure tourism will build.” Ms Kearney added the isolation of the region combined with nature-based experiences and quality food and wine made the South West well positioned to capitalise on high-value travellers. The confidence in the border date has also brought confidence in the commencement of the long-awaited direct flights to Melbourne, due to take flight April 6. Despite the South West’s positive outlook, Shadow Tourism Minister Vince Catania slammed the move, describing the Premier’s decision as a “backflip” that left tourism and business operators without clear plans. “Industry deserves certainty after shouldering the brunt of snap lockdowns to keep our State safe, generally announced with little time for them to pivot their businesses or face significant financial losses,” he said. “The Premier’s sudden change of heart has left many businesses in the same position as being ‘locked down’, unable to recoup costs to prepare for reopening, including those for much-needed workers due to arrive in WA from the east after February 5. “The new transition plan must allow for tourism and hospitality workers wanting to come to WA to fill longstanding vacancies, along with a firm opening date to shore up the future of the industry.”