The Covid-19 pandemic and prolonged state border closures have cost the Australia tourism industry nearly A$7 billion over the peak summer period.
That is the estimate according to new research commissioned by the Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF).
It estimates tourism spending will be down $6.8 billion from 24 December to 31 January due to the interstate restrictions imposed on residents in Sydney and across New South Wales.
The TTF research predicts that without an extension of Jokeeper payments, 320,000 jobs will have been lost by September 2021 because of the ban on inbound travel and uncertainty over domestic borders.
More than 100,000 of those jobs would be lost in NSW.
TTF says domestic tourism cannot adequately replace international tourism, especially as the main China market spends about three times as much as other markets on average.
"The absence of this high yield market, the continuing uncertainty around domestic borders and the lack of confidence that the constant border changes create makes it impossible for domestic tourism to compensate for the lack of international travellers" said TTF Chief Executive Margy Osmond.
"A strong tourism sector is critical to the recovery of the national economy and the Government needs to support our industry over the next 12 months."
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Editor
