The first international tourists in two years have touched down in Sydney to be greeted by jubilant well-wishers waving Tim-Tams, jars of Vegemite and stuffed koalas.
Federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan was on hand on Monday to welcome the first arrivals on Qantas flight QF12 from Los Angeles which landed at 6.20 am as Australia’s borders reopened to vaccinated travellers.
Qantas on Monday is bringing in people from eight overseas destinations including Vancouver, Singapore, London, and Delhi.
“What wonderful, wonderful news for our tourism industry and the 660,000 people employed in it,” Mr Tehan told the Nine Network.
“There is excitement everywhere, people are loving it, absolutely loving it.
“The first passenger (to enter the arrivals hall) had a huge smile on their face even though they have been on a plane for … 20-odd hours.”
The emotional and happy scenes are expected to be replicated at international airports in Melbourne and Brisbane on Monday.
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said bookings had been strong since the federal government announced the country was opening on February 21 after borders were shut two years ago due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr Joyce thanked the millions of Australians who got vaccinated and gave Australian governments confidence to reopen to the rest of the world.
“It has been tough two years for everybody in the tourism industry, but today is really one of the big steps on the way back to a full recovery so we are very excited about today,” he told the Nine Network.
Mr Joyce said the airline is bringing 14,000 people into the country this week on more than 150 international flights.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Monday was an important day that all Australians had looked forward to.
“Whether you are in far north Queensland or in Sydney … that is going to be welcome news for so many tourism operators,” he told Sydney’s 2GB.
“You don’t have to be a long way away from the city to be reliant on international tourism.”
There are 1.2 million people around the world who are “visa-ed up” to come to Australia with more than 50 international flights to touch down in the next 24-hours, the prime minister said.
Dan Sullivan Jnr, CEO of tour operator Collette said, “Collette guests from North America have been eagerly awaiting the re-opening of the Australian border to experience the magnificent landscapes, wildlife and ancient culture. In addition to those guests who have deferred bookings since 2020, Collette has seen demand pick up considerably in 2022 and look forward to working with our numerous hotels and experience providers to operate tours to the region.”
However, travellers from Australia’s biggest tourism market, China, will be absent.
That’s because Chinese travellers are not allowed to venture to Australia at the moment, Mr Morrison said.
“That’s why we’re focusing our campaign on those markets that are open to travel to Australia,” he said.
“Australia is one of the most popular destinations of choice all around the world.”
It also comes at a time when NSW, Victoria and the ACT have started winding back further restrictions, like ditching most QR check-ins and lifting bans on dancing at hospitality venues.
Victoria is opening its newly built $200 million quarantine hub on Monday for those international travellers who are not vaccinated.
Queensland also has its own purpose-built 500-bed quarantine centre near Toowoomba, which is likely to house unvaccinated international arrivals.