United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Qantas launches petition to open state borders
Qantas has stepped up pressure to get state borders opened with a call to the tourism industry to join the airline’s petition.
The ‘Safely Open Our Borders’ petition is calling for a national consensus on the criteria of a Covid-19 ‘hotspot.’
If these can be designated based on standardised criteria, state borders can be safely opened, Qatas argues.
"We’re calling for decisions on domestic border closures to be risk-assessed against an agreed set of medical criteria and a shared definition of what constitutes a Covid hotspot," Qantas said on its website.
The petition is hosted on the website and it calls for employees and tourism industry players to add their voice.
"There is huge pent up demand for domestic travel with Australians wanting to get away on holiday and we want to see local businesses and the one million people in the tourism industry, get back to work," the airline said.
It hasn’t swayed some Queensland MPs.
"They are pushing for a relaxation of the border restrictions because it would suit them and their business. The Government will make its recommendations and decisions based on the best medical advice, not commercial interests," Labor MP Michael Healy told the Australian Financial Review.
Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles also hit out at Qantas.
"These companies and their chief executives obviously have a right to further their economic interests of the companies, but the government has a responsibility first and foremost to take care of the health and the jobs of Queenslanders. If the boss of Qantas wanted to do more and show compassion for Australians, then he wouldn’t be gouging them tens of thousands of dollars just to come home," Miles said.
Written by Ray Montgomery, Asia Pacific editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Tony from Gatto’s Pizza on Columbus’s Unique Pizza Trail
Sophia Hyder Hock on Global Social Inclusion in Tourism
Sustainable Tourism: Don Welsh on Community Values and Global Collaboration
Jane Cunningham: Enhancing European Engagement in Tourism
Kristin Dunne: Navigating Destination Strategy
Revolutionizing Mobile Connectivity: Boris Bijlstra on HUBBY eSIM
Capturing Glasgow’s Vibrancy: An Interview with Susan Deighan, Chief Executive of Glasgow Life
Lebua Hotel & Resorts: Rajan Khurana on Hospitality and Bangkok’s Charms
Sustainable Tourism and Growth: Insights from Chiravadee Khunsub from Tourism Authority of Thailand
Revolutionizing Travel: SmartSIM USA’s Dale Takio Unveils the Power of E Sims
TravelMole Interview with Hishan Singhawansa, Deputy CEO of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts, Sri Lanka
Unveiling the Essence of Magari Tours: A Dive into Authentic Italian Experiences
EU airports bring back 100ml liquid rule
CLIA: Anti-cruise demos could cause itinerary changes in Europe
Co-pilot faints, easyJet flight issues ‘red alert’
Dozens fall ill in P&O Cruises ship outbreak
Woman dies after getting ‘entangled’ in baggage carousel