Yesterday morning Queensland (Qld) premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced that the state’s border will open to all of New South Wales (NSW) from December 1, 2020. The premier will make a further announcement today about opening the border to Victoria, subject to no new cases of community transmission in the state. South Australia will be reviewed at the end of the month and announcements will be made accordingly.
Tourism & Events Queensland (TEQ) has said it will extend its ‘Good to Go’ campaign, which showcases the state’s tourism offerings, into Sydney, with Victorian advertising to follow as soon as an announcement is made.
Virgin Australia is working with TEQ on kick-starting Queensland’s tourism industry, andhas welcomed the decision, announcing that additional flights will be added between Sydney and Brisbane, Sydney and the Gold Coast, Sydney and the Sunshine Coast and Newcastle and Brisbane. Flights between Sydney and Cairns, Sydney and Hamilton Island and Sydney and the Whitsunday Coast will take off again before Christmas.
Virgin Australia general manager network and revenue management Russell Shaw said the Queensland Government’s decision to reopen the border with Greater Sydney will help the airline and tourism industry to get back on its feet and put more people back to work.
“We recognise our role as one of Qld’s largest employers and our ability to contribute to both the Qld and NSW tourism economies,” he said.
“The additional services will be timed to provide choice and convenience for customers, while at the same time give travellers the opportunity to do business and reconnect with loved ones, families and friends ahead of the well-earned Christmas break.”