European trade operators believe it will take time to restart Australia as a destination once international travel opens up fully, but remain committed to booking travel. Europeans are travelling widely with many trying new destinations and they have become well versed in navigating various COVID-19 travel requirements.
Western Sales and Marketing Manager Claudia McFadden has returned from Europe where she had to resort to rugging up for outdoor walking meetings, such as the one pictured with Tourism Australia Regional Director of Europe Eva Seller in Frankfurt where Omicron was spreading rapidly. Trade and consumer shows were on hold and people were working from home making meetings in parks the norm.
The European trade are pleased to see Queensland’s strong vaccination rates have done away with the need to quarantine, but would like to see aligned messaging from the State and Federal governments on travel protocol. There will be collaboration opportunities with trade and aviation partners like Singapore Airlines once borders are fully open.
There is positive sentiment from the participating countries – the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy – for the reopening of Working Holiday Maker and student travel. With this segment opening up, TTNQ is supporting the national Working Holiday Maker campaign.
Tourism Australia’s Aussie Specialist Program has been boosted and TTNQ will participate in a German webinar promoting Cairns & Great Barrier Reef in early February. Sadly, ITB Berlin 2022 scheduled for March has been cancelled again and will be online. The industry is very excited that the Australian Tourism Exchange will remain a live event for those who can travel to Sydney in May.
[European market update – TTNQ Fortnightly Pulse – 27 January 2022]